By Shaun Shuler

After working in retail over half my life, I enjoy going to stores when I’m in other countries to see how they merchandise their products.

The following are pictures of value packs I found at SM Bacoor in Cavite, Philippines (just south of Manila). I go to this store several times every trip to visit the in-laws. These don’t seem to go together at all in my opinion, but perhaps to some this is normal.

Note: this is done in fun, no disrespect intended, just found some of these unusual for an American who worked at the largest retailer in the world, Wal-Mart, for 23 years.

6 Strange Food Combos I Found in a Filipino Grocery Store:

#1-Spaghetti and whitening Soap

Whitening Soap is extremely popular in the Philippines, but I am pretty sure it’s not edible. Also, I don’t think spaghetti is used in conjunction with soap for any reason.

Interestingly, in the US a lot of Caucasians use suntan lotions and tanning beds to get darker (I was into this in my younger years), and in the Philippines many use whitening products to get lighter.

#2-Pineapple Juice and oYster Sauce

I love Pineapple Juice from the Philippines. It definitely has a much richer taste than it does in the U.S. My wife challenged me on this, saying it was all in my head, but sure enough she agrees with me, pineapple juice from the Philippines rocks!

However, never thought of adding oyster sauce with it.

#3-Canola Oil and Peanut Butter

Now canola oil is an ingredient in peanut butter, but as far as I know you don’t need canola oil with already made peanut butter. I’m not a cook, so maybe I’m not 100% informed.

#4-Shrimp Paste and Pineapple Juice

Shrimp paste is great ingredient used in a lot of Asian cuisines, however just like the oyster sauce, I’m not sure this goes with pineapple juice.

#5-Peanut Butter and craB paste

Similar to Shrimp Paste mentioned above, Crab Paste is used to help add flavor to many dishes, but I have not found anyone using it on Peanut Butter.

#6-Mouthwash and Peanut Butter

The day that I was in this store, they must have had an abundance of Peanut Butter overstock. This is the 3rd different item paired with the creamy treat. You can argue that you need Mouthwash after eating Peanut Butter, but, I have never seen these two items together on the same aisle, much less on the same shelf.

Are these combos strange to you? Do you have examples of stranger combo packs? If so, please leave in the comment box below.