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Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and long-lasting goods. These are the things that we know coronavirus panic buyers want. They buy them in packs. They buy them in pallets. And supermarket shelves end up empty.

But not completely empty! Some poor items get left behind. Things that even panic-driven preppers don’t want. What are these things? We’re so glad you asked. Bored Panda compiled a list of the things that get left behind on supermarket shelves, from Hawaiian pizza (pineapples and ham, anyone?) to chocolate hummus. So scroll down and leave a comment below about what unwanted goods you’ve seen left behind in shops.

From what we’ve seen so far, strange brands and peculiar foods like weird-flavored potato chips (not to mention Corona beer) seem to get left behind. But what flies off the shelves like hot buns is toilet paper. But why is that?

#2

Even In Such Shortages Nobody Wants Pineapple Pizza

Even in such shortages nobody wants Pineapple Pizza

Philotroll Report

Well, this mass buying of products is related to two things: anxiety (buying things tricks us into thinking we have things under control) and the fear of missing out (or FOMO). Massively buying TP obviously doesn’t make sense. It has more to do with herd mentality than with rational thinking.

“What you've got to remember is that when 50 packs of toilet paper rolls disappear off shelves, you really notice it because they take up so much room. It's much more noticeable than say 50 cans of baked beans or hand sanitizer disappearing," Professor Debra Grace from Griffith University told the BBC.

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Rob Chapman
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've got like 10 cans of that in my cupboard. Been there for about a year.

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ZombieGirl
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HaHa...this one is hilarious! I bought cauliflower rice once and my husband saw it and threw it away! haha...he said no mam!

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Meanwhile, Associate Professor Nitika Garg from the University of New South Wales explained that seeing this scarcity makes us believe that the missing product is much more valuable than it really is.

"They think if this person is buying it, if my neighbor is buying there's got to be a reason and I need to get in too," she said. Garg also pointed out that people believe that TP can be used for pretty much everything: from tissues and napkins to “makeshift masks.”

Dr. Rohan Miller from the University of Sydney believes that because we’re not used to scarcity or shortages, we want to maintain the same lifestyle during the coronavirus crisis. “The rush to get toilet paper is just this sheep mentality to maintain that status. I think people want to make sure they have some comforts in their lives if they're going to be shacked up with their family for a long time," he told the BBC.

"Toilet paper doesn't really matter—it's just so far down the survival list compared to other things like food or water—but it's just something people cling to as a minimum standard."

#7

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Malakai
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boar's Head dark chocolate hummus is effing delicious. You can enjoy your boring fruit with no dip while I chow down on strawberries and cherries with it :)

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Ana Ferreira
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are people seriously avoiding Corona beer just because it has the same name as the virus? That is painfully stupid.

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Bored Panda spoke with David Savage, associate professor of behavioral and microeconomics at the University of Newcastle in Australia, about how uncertainty and a lack of information lead to stockpiling and hoarding supplies.

“Uncertainty is the starting point, but what the general public is dealing with at the moment is ambiguity, that is people do not know what it is that they do not know! They are uncertain if or when the virus will spread to the region, they do not know if they themselves will be infected, which also means they do not know if they need to go into isolation and need several weeks’ worth of supplies,” Dr. Savage explained the current conundrum affecting some countries around the world.

#12

Things-Left-On-Shelves-Coronavirus

The only thing left on the shelves due to corona virus. At least it’s not *that* bad yet.

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“The problem is not necessarily that people wish to stock up or prepare for a likely pandemic, rather the problem is that people are uncertain about the future and, if they are risk-averse, are more than likely going to overstock more than they require.”

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He continued: “Of course, overstocking [i.e. stockpiling] has a knock-on effect such that the greater the number of individuals who are overstocking the more likely it is that supermarkets will run out of stock and end up with empty shelves. This will cause a feedback loop for the individual confirming what they already believe to be true and make them more willing to stock up.”

#15

Things-Left-On-Shelves-Coronavirus

Real commentary on the human condition - no matter what kind of mixed vegetables you buy, there’s ALWAYS too many carrots

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According to Dr. Savage, stockpiling also leads to an additional problem: it limits the availability of goods to disadvantaged groups, such as the poor and the elderly. “While this may not directly add to the further spread of the virus it may create a problem in the future when the pandemic is in full swing and the individual runs out of certain goods forcing them to leave the safety of their home and enter the public arena which may expose them to the virus.”

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“Uncertainty and a lack of information are the true enemies in regard to public behavior. It is what we don't understand that we fear and what we do not know that creates bias. The best solution may well be as simple as public education campaigns delivered in the simplest way possible and framed in a positive light rather than a negative one.”

#21

Dear Arrow Water, People Would Rather Risk Death Than Drink Your Nasty Tasting Water. Lol

Dear Arrow water, people would rather risk death than drink your nasty tasting water

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#23

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Patrick McKemie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, maybe just maybe, the Amy's Kitchen delivery person is on their game! Now would be a great time to empty out your inventory.

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Rabbit Carrot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s actually quite nice with a bit of butter and pepper sprinkled on top.

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Rabbit Carrot
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s £1.70. When everything around it is between 53-75p the top end ranges will be the last to go and rightly so.

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sh
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think some of these are more like only that single item has been restocked, not that no one wanted it.

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Pungent Sauce
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because corned beef is 2x the normal price til after St. Patty’s Day, when it will be 1/2 the normal price. ‘Murica!

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Pungent Sauce
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They’re delicious, but apparently not worth the extra $0.50 to the budget-minded apocalypse buyer.

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Rabbit Carrot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the orange moron is calling it the ‘Chinese virus’ what do you expect. Stuff that doesn’t sell like this should go to the homeless shelter where non idiots will appreciate it.

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#39

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The only produce left at my local grocery store is onions because nobody wants that trash

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Ana Ferreira
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What? How are these people cooking with no onions? Half the dishes here start with onions, garlic and tomato.

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AJu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Onions are one of the most important cooking essentials!

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JessG
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell?!?! My store ran out a while ago!! Where is this and why don't people want onions? It's a staple!

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Lola
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you never use onions if your cooking, I would never want to eat at your house. I mean NEVER.

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MizAdeleM
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, got onions, too. Now, you just have to make lemonade from those lemons, people. French Onion soup anyone?

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John L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heh, at my store, the only onions left were red ones. I actually was looking for some, but I still have one at home.

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Diane Dizacomo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

whats trashy about onions? enlighten me? i would buy a couple of bags, haul it out to the picnic table. cut em up and freeze them.

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OWLbystarlight
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How are onions trash? They're a staple for a lot of recipes. o_O

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jamie1707
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd kill for a bag of onions right now. Completely sold out yesterday.

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Maria Rohlen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't understand people who don't eat onions, almost everything except for breakfast gets better with onions in it.

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Dawn Ours
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I Love Onions And if you eat an onion a day you'll live 100 yrs they say ....probably because an onion a day will certainly help with social distance ...gimme those onions !!!!

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John Shannon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This must be England. Where garlic and onions require a special visa.

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Jane Alexander
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and if you have too many to use all at once, you can caramelize and freeze for soups or quick meals, and stick a few in the earth for onion greens and onions later.

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Baali Venomax
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love onions! Some of us use them as base for cooking everything else. Glad they wont run out.

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bill marsano
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did not even one supermarket manager have the sense to post "2 per customer" signs? Those that didn't are equally responsible for the piggishness of hoarding.

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Johanne Trudeau
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The most vital ingredient in any meal!! Can't live without them. The best flavor...

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Steve Cruz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of these photos look like that stock was just put out.

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Rosemarie Daher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our daughter accidentally paid $25 for 10 medium onions in indonesia. She didn’t make the currency conversion fast enough and there are no returns here after you pay. Yikes.

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Betsy Steinhart
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Susanna Herrström
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes please! I use onion in almost everything but pancakes unless I make them as crepes and then itś in the filling! :) But seriosly you can use onion in French onion soup

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Bill Taylor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Home made pasta sauce, tacos, enchiladas, guac almost anything Mexican really, chili, guess most people don't cook.

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Lorraine R
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grocery was all out of tubers 'n' roots. No onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or carrots.

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Christine M Quigley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make french onion soup! Onion dip! I love onions even in my eggs! Grilled onions on burgers, or steak...Yum..

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Ana Linares
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happened at the supermarkets I went to. I think is not that people don't like onions, they just don't want that many. One onion lasts me a lot.

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Amelie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EXCUSE ME!? onions are not trash. You know what is trash, you're attitude towards onions.

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Holly Molly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nobody wants to have bad breath when the EMT comes and save them

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Amber Cook
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love cooking with onions! And yes I buy he big bags at Costco because I use them n so much of my cooking!

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