Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Campbell takes a gamble, cuts salt in tomato soup
Sac Bee ^ | 8/20/09 | Jim Downing

Posted on 08/20/2009 9:36:57 AM PDT by NormsRevenge

Sacramento has been churning out Campbell's tomato soup for 62 years, and through all that time, the goal has remained the same: Keep the iconic soup tasting the same way it has since 1897.

That just got a lot harder.

In late July, the Campbell Soup Co. began shipping a new formulation of its oldest and often best-selling brand with a 32 percent cut in sodium that brings it in line with federal health guidelines.

In the processed-food business, that's a huge risk. Salt is an effective and cheap flavor enhancer with no known substitute. Even a 10 percent cutback can drive a nose dive in a product's "Hedonic Index" – an industry measure of how much an eater enjoys it.

The Camden, N.J.-based company is getting the reduction by substituting low-sodium sea salts – a proprietary blend from an undisclosed location – as well as rejiggering other flavorings, also secret. The company has tested the new formula on consumers in all 50 states and says most people don't miss the salt or like the revamped version better.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Food; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: campbell; soup; tomato

1 posted on 08/20/2009 9:36:57 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Its about time. Canned soup and ramen are about the highest
sodium content foods one finds at the store.


2 posted on 08/20/2009 9:38:46 AM PDT by rahbert
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

A lot of food loaded with sodium doesn’t even taste salty.


3 posted on 08/20/2009 9:38:56 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Well that will change the grocery list...........my wife loves salt, I never use it.

But I just bought a case of this soup because it is her favorite.

4 posted on 08/20/2009 9:40:01 AM PDT by Kakaze (Exterminate Islamofacism and apologize for nothing.....except not doing it sooner!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Salt is an effective and cheap flavor enhancer with no known substitute.


5 posted on 08/20/2009 9:41:28 AM PDT by the_devils_advocate_666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Doesn’t bother me, I can always put it back in if I want to...


6 posted on 08/20/2009 9:43:06 AM PDT by Yo-Yo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

You can’t get plain old chicken noodle soup any more. Just the low sodium variety. It’s horrid.

I couldn’t figure out what it was, I just kept eating the soup wondering why it was off.

Then I read the can - big green box on it that said (25% less sodium).

To make the soup taste like it did, you end up putting salt in it. Worse, sometimes you add too much, and you screw it up.

Fine. No more crappy tasting soup. Everything the Feds touch turns to merde.


7 posted on 08/20/2009 9:44:17 AM PDT by RinaseaofDs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Yo, Campbell’s. The too salty taste is one reason I haven’t bought your soup for decades.


8 posted on 08/20/2009 9:45:36 AM PDT by bgill (The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Yo-Yo
Doesn’t bother me, I can always put it back in if I want to...

It doesn't taste the same, trust me.
I tried the Chicken Noodle low-sodium crap once, and it just tasted like water-based chicken stock (FYI: Only use half a can of water when making Campbell's soup, not a whole can)

If they change the Tomato soup brand, I'm switching. The tomato soup is cheap, and sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top and you got a quick meal.

9 posted on 08/20/2009 9:47:18 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist ("It (Gov't) can't make you happier, healthier, wealthier, and wise" - Sarah Palin 07/26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

10 posted on 08/20/2009 9:47:40 AM PDT by PureSolace (Trust in God)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that under existing free trade agreements, importing old style high-sodium soup back into the US is still OK? You just can’t make in in Camden, NJ anymore?....


11 posted on 08/20/2009 9:48:11 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

I’ll add my own salt. However, I will be angry if they take the salt out of my crackers.


12 posted on 08/20/2009 9:49:09 AM PDT by jonrick46 (The Obama Administration is a blueprint for Fabian Socialism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

And the curious thing is that Campbells will no doubt raise the price! I remember when Campbells Tomato Soup was seven cents a can. Of course those were the days before high income taxes, and before the gubmint got into the medical business. Those were the days when a dollar was big money!


13 posted on 08/20/2009 9:55:25 AM PDT by Paperdoll (DL Hunter/S Palin or S Palin/DL Hunter 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

LOL And I thought I was going buggy when the soup tasted different. Its sweeter. I swear to the Lord Above.... At least my taste buds are still working ok lol.


14 posted on 08/20/2009 9:58:10 AM PDT by Danae (- Conservative does not equal Republican. Conservative does not compromise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RinaseaofDs

>....just the low sodium variety. It’s horrid><

You can always add a little sea salt.


15 posted on 08/20/2009 9:58:12 AM PDT by Paperdoll (DL Hunter/S Palin or S Palin/DL Hunter 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

I eat this suop and have always thought it was salty but...... why thirty two percent? I think thats to much whats wrong with cutting it 25%?


16 posted on 08/20/2009 9:58:47 AM PDT by VaRepublican (I would propagate taglines but I don't know how.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

I had to stop buying most soups years ago due to the high salt content. Geepers, Campbell’s chicken noodle has a lot of salt. I try low salt brands, and have had some success in finding something that tastes good. Too much sodium in a lot of foods. I won’t buy most frozen dinners, unless they have a lower sodium content and have higher quality ingredients. So pretty much, I make stuff from scratch so I know what is in it. It’s so quick to make good stuff at home anyway. But this salty soup thing, I noticed soups made me feel bad a long time ago, and it’s the high sodium content that does it. Campbells would do well to lower the salt in their products, I used to love their tomato soup.


17 posted on 08/20/2009 10:02:08 AM PDT by TheConservativeParty ("I am Sarah Palin." and "I am the NRA.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

The free market should determine these decisions and not the Federal Govt. If they want to market a less sodium filled soup then so be it—let customers decide and not the damn overeaching Federal Govt.


18 posted on 08/20/2009 10:13:13 AM PDT by tflabo (Truth or Tyranny)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

They just went from soup to slop!!!!


19 posted on 08/20/2009 10:14:16 AM PDT by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rahbert

Stick your low sodium where the sun doesn’t shine!


20 posted on 08/20/2009 10:15:12 AM PDT by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: RinaseaofDs
HEB sells plain old "salted" chicken noodle soup which tastes just like canned chicken noodle soup is supposed to taste.

Hot, salty, and greasy ... great for sore throats and chills.

21 posted on 08/20/2009 10:17:38 AM PDT by BlueLancer (I'm getting a fine tootsy-frootsying right here...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: TheConservativeParty
Most canned or processed foods are very high in salt and sodium. I've got a can of V8 juice here, and in 11.5oz (down from 12oz to cut costs?) it has 690mg of sodium, and 670mg of potassium. There is a "low sodium" version (I don't have it sitting here) but it's so unbelievably bland, it really sucks. I do drink it every other time I get V8 though, and just "doctor it up" with some hot sauce (240mg sodium per teaspoon!) and pepper. It's tolerable at that point, but still not as good as "the real thing."

Mark

22 posted on 08/20/2009 10:19:02 AM PDT by MarkL (Do I really look like a guy with a plan?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: the_devils_advocate_666

That has salt in it.


23 posted on 08/20/2009 10:19:58 AM PDT by big black dog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: RinaseaofDs

When my kids were little almost everyone fed them strictly baby food as soon as they could eat but they’ve made baby food taste so bad that babies won’t even eat it and most people I know feed their babies very little baby food.


24 posted on 08/20/2009 10:22:17 AM PDT by tiki (True Christians will not deliberately slander or misrepresent others or their beliefs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: tiki

My granddaughter is 11 months and we just introduced her to table food - she will not touch baby food now, at all, except for the fruit.


25 posted on 08/20/2009 10:28:49 AM PDT by mom4melody
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: big black dog

Yes, it has salt in it. But you can use a lot less salt and still spice up your dish plenty.


26 posted on 08/20/2009 10:45:35 AM PDT by the_devils_advocate_666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: PureSolace

That was my first thought! It’s not just the sodium content, note the other comment about “rejiggering” some other flavors.


27 posted on 08/20/2009 10:56:27 AM PDT by smalltownslick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

What’s to stop people from adding salt on their own? Obama needs to appoint a condiment Czar to prevent such contingencies.


28 posted on 08/20/2009 11:04:52 AM PDT by Tublecane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dalereed

A lot of folks appreciate having a choice.

Noone is forcing it on you, so simmer dowm.


29 posted on 08/20/2009 11:55:35 AM PDT by rahbert
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: BlueLancer

Thank you!


30 posted on 08/20/2009 12:24:09 PM PDT by RinaseaofDs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: PureSolace

Exactly. Companies, like people, seldom learn.


31 posted on 08/20/2009 12:25:42 PM PDT by RinaseaofDs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: jonrick46

Too late! Haven’t you noticed the lack of salt on Saltine Crackers?


32 posted on 08/20/2009 12:29:08 PM PDT by Randy Larsen ( BTW, If I offend you! Please let me know, I may want to offend you again!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Shoot, they ruined canned tuna fish years ago. And you cannot salt the stuff to make it taste the same, either.


33 posted on 08/20/2009 12:35:43 PM PDT by Darnright (There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive. - Tacitus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TheConservativeParty

I make my own soups too. I make a tomato soup using a recipe from 4-B’s restaurant in Montana and I make my own vegetable beef and corn chowder too. They are flavorful enough without adding salt. :~) I’m still working on finding a homemade chicken soup recipe that I like. I eat organic and store bought organic soups can be quite pricey.


34 posted on 08/20/2009 1:44:28 PM PDT by My hearts in London - Everett (So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Randy Larsen
"Too late! Haven’t you noticed the lack of salt on Saltine Crackers?

Whhhhaaaaaat? They have taken the salt out of Saltine Crackers? These do-gooders think they can create the Fountain of Youth by forcing us to eat ________. If it were not for murders and accidents, America has the longest living citizens in the world. Soon they will be complaining that people live too long and are too much trouble to take care of.

35 posted on 08/20/2009 2:08:21 PM PDT by jonrick46 (The Obama Administration is a blueprint for Fabian Socialism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Randy Larsen; jonrick46
Too late! Haven’t you noticed the lack of salt on Saltine Crackers?

Umm... Not quite. You can get them in original or unsalted top varieties.

Premium Saltine Crackers

36 posted on 08/20/2009 2:19:34 PM PDT by TChris (There is no freedom without the possibility of failure.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: TChris

When I was a young lad, Saltines came with a very light coat of salt...the grains were about the size of the head of a finish nail. I used to love licking the salt off before eating the cracker.

Try finding a saltine like that today!


37 posted on 08/20/2009 2:26:30 PM PDT by Randy Larsen ( BTW, If I offend you! Please let me know, I may want to offend you again!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: RinaseaofDs

Even merde is low-salt these days.


38 posted on 08/20/2009 3:33:28 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
"Campbell takes a gamble, cuts salt in tomato soup"

I have several salt shakers.

39 posted on 08/21/2009 8:27:59 PM PDT by Graybeard58 ( Selah.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Good! They had been known as the first company who canned salt. Maybe I’ll try some now.

After buying low-sodium V-8, the regular stuff is just too salty, and the true flavor gets lost.


40 posted on 08/21/2009 8:41:58 PM PDT by Exit148 (a)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson