Campbell changes formulations just for schools

29-Oct-2008 - Last updated on 30-Oct-2008 at 14:57 GMT

Related tags Nutrition

Campbell Soup has reformulated its product line specifically for schools, lowering salt and fat content to meet the nutrition standards of an alliance set up to fight childhood obesity.

However, a spokesperson for the company’s North America Foodservice division, which made the changes, told FoodNavigator-USA that the reformulated products were only for schools and could not say if there were plans to reformulate products sold elsewhere.

The reformulation affects the Pepperidge Farm snacks range - including Goldfish Snack Crackers in Cheddar, Parmesan and Whole Grain Cheddar and Giant Goldfish Grahams in Chocolate and Cinnamon - as well as its school soup portfolio.

It is the latest voluntarily move by food and beverage manufacturers to improve the nutrition value of products sold to children, as they come under pressure from campaign groups and government to help improve kids’ health.

Campbell said the product line now meets standards set by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the William J Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, which the company joined two years ago.

Sean Connolly, president of the North American division, said it was focused on “wellness and value” as it has also reduced the price of its Healthy Request products.

He added: “We are proud to promote the benefits of our products that meet the Alliance criteria for calories, fat and sodium, and provide schools with more products that are affordable and exciting to children."

Sodium content

The school soup portfolio now meets government criteria for ‘healthy’ foods as they contain 480mg of sodium or less per serving, are low in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and contain a positive nutrient.

They are also under 100 calories per serving and do not contain added MSG. The new varieties will be available in December.

Additionally, ten Pepperidge Farm products are now trans fat free and offer one grain serving per pack.

Other voluntary industry initiatives include the national School Beverage Guidelines scheme, set up in 2006 between the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the American Beverage Association, The Coca-Cola Company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and PepsiCo.