I believe the reason they disappeared so fast from the shelves is because of an overzealous bunch of lawyers from Paramount Pictures Legal Department, out to protect unauthorized use of Star Trek merchandise/terminology. While these little minty cookies bore no resemblance to the fuzzball critters with a reproductive ability greater than a jackrabbit on Viagra & caffeine, the term "tribbles" had, in actual point-of-fact, originated with the Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles". That, apparently, was all the Legal Department needed to press the issue.

Tribbles Chocolate Chip Cookie Snacks came in four flavors and was first introduced in Wisconsin. They were the brain child of an ex-M&M Mars executive who created the "bite sized" market. His company was Bitesize International located in Southern Illinois. He contracted Keebler for Tribbles production and Keebler soon finagled ownership, forcing Bitesize International into bankruptcy. Tribbles inventory was closed-out to other states.

Tribbles Cookies were made by KEEBLER company and certainly were still available in year 1989. They might not have been removed because of Paramount or a Tribbles reference [the very popular Star Trek episode penned by novelist / tv writer David Gerrold]. In fact, when removed from the shelves I wrote to Keebler in late 1989 and they wrote back "Tribbles cookies have been removed because we are re-creating our product line and will no longer produce products that contain animal fat." I received that short letter and a coupon and the great little cookies were never again sold or found in stores.

I remember the little cookies being sold in vending machines (and only one flavor - but again I refer to a Keebler product). The lawsuit suggested above is true but the snack company [in this cate Bite-Size International] won their case: "Bitesize International(R) markets Tribbles(R) -- wholesome tiny chocolate chip cookies/candies. The company won the right to use the trade name Tribbles(R) from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in the cookie and candy category in January 1985."

tribbles were in fact a product and company based in Casey, Illinois. The office was located on main street in a small office building. I remember buying them locally as a kid.

Thomas F. Hannon, most recently of Las Vegas Nevada, was the brainchild of Tribbles Chocolate Chip Cookie Snacks. Indeed his company was based out of Casey, Illinois. He just recently died, his obituary with photos can be accessed online.