Pepperidge Farm to cut salt in more than 80% of its breads by February 2011

Campbell Soup Company on September 20 announced that its Pepperidge Farm division will further reduce sodium across its portfolio of 84 breads, rolls and bagels. By February 2011, 80 percent (69 varieties) of these Pepperidge Farm products will be at least 25 percent lower in sodium than regular breads, rolls and bagels – a significant achievement given that salt not only adds flavor to baked goods but also affects texture and color.

Campbell is leading the food industry in sodium reduction efforts, building on decades of work to reduce the sodium content of its products while maintaining great taste. The progress in reducing sodium reflects Campbell’s overall commitment to wellness and Pepperidge Farm’s leadership in the bakery category.

“As part of our focus on health and wellness, we have made sodium reduction a top priority at Campbell for many years,” said Douglas R. Conant, president and chief executive officer of Campbell Soup Company. “We pride ourselves on our industry-leading efforts to lower sodium while ensuring great taste and quality, and we will continue to seek ways to reduce sodium across our portfolio of baked snacks, healthy beverages and simple meals.”

As top sellers in the premium bakery category, Pepperidge Farm breads provide an array of nutritional benefits and outstanding quality. About half of all Pepperidge Farm sliced breads (22 varieties) are already at least 25 percent lower in sodium than regular sliced breads.

“The best thing about Pepperidge Farm breads in which we’ve reduced sodium is that they taste every bit as great as they always did,” said Pat Callaghan, president, Pepperidge Farm. “By building on Campbell’s experience in using lower sodium natural sea salt in recipe development, we have been able to reduce sodium in many products so people can enjoy the whole grains, fiber and taste they want, but with less sodium.”

Breads are one of the top sources of fiber and whole grains in the American diet. But according to the recent scientific report of the 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nearly 95 percent of Americans are missing the mark when it comes to whole grains – a problematic shortfall since eating whole grains can help protect against heart disease and is associated with lower body weight.

More than 40 Pepperidge Farm breads meet Food & Drug Administration (FDA) standards as good or excellent sources of fiber or provide at least half a serving of whole grains in one slice. Plus, nearly two dozen Pepperidge Farm breads are certified by the American Heart Association–meeting exacting criteria to display the AHA heart-check mark on packages.

In addition to Pepperidge Farm breads, Campbell has reduced sodium across its portfolio, including many of its soups and the entire lines of V8 juices, Prego Italian sauces and SpaghettiOs pastas. Campbell makes more than 200 reduced sodium products – an eight-fold increase compared to just five years ago, when the company offered 25 reduced sodium products.

About Pepperidge Farm
Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated, based in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading provider of premium quality fresh bakery products, cookies, crackers, and frozen foods. The company was named the #1 Place to Work in Connecticut in the large companies category of the Best Places to Work in Connecticut competition for 2009. Among the company’s most popular products are Sausalito and Milano cookies, Goldfish crackers, Baked Naturals crackers, frozen Puff Pastry, frozen garlic loaves and Texas toasts, and more than 50 varieties of fresh baked breads including Pepperidge Farm Swirl, Farmhouse, and Whole Grain. The company recently added Ecce Panis gourmet artisan breads to its portfolio. Pepperidge Farm was founded in Connecticut in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, an entrepreneurial homemaker who began baking fresh, all-natural bread for her allergy-afflicted son. The company is now a nationwide business with 9 manufacturing facilities and almost 5,000 employees. Pepperidge Farm has been part of Campbell Soup Company since 1961.

About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup and sauces, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including Campbell’s, Pepperidge Farm, Arnott’s and V8. Through its corporate social responsibility program, the company strives to make a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. Campbell is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.