A ladle full of new introductions from leading manufacturers is stirring up the canned condensed soup category.
y introduced 19 new products, including the new Campbell's Healthy Request Creative Chef Soups, which are designed specifically for use in recipes.
In addition, Campbell's has introduced five new 98% fat-free cream soups, and is also rolling out a line of seven Campbell's Baked Ramen Noodle Soups and two new Chunky Soups.
In late summer, ConAgra's Fullerton, Calif.-based Hunt Wesson division introduced six Healthy Choice Recipe Creations Condensed Soups that are both nutritious and easy to use in recipes. The line consists of Cream of Mushroom with Cracked Pepper & Herbs, Cream of Roasted Chicken with Herbs, Cream of Celery with Sauteed Onion & Garlic, Tomato with Garden Herbs, Cream of Broccoli with Cheddar & Onion and Cream of Roasted Garlic.
A Healthy Choice spokeswoman told SN each of the soups contains three easy-to-prepare recipes on the labels. In addition, late this month, the line will be backed with a freestanding insert of all Healthy Choice brands, a Healthy Choice Soups FSI in November that also contains a recipe cookbook offer, and another FSI in January 1997.
"In-stores we will have recipe take-ones, along with multiple recipes per booklet during October," she said. "We also have black-and-white ad slicks containing recipes that will be available to retailers to use in their circulars all season."
A spokesman for Minneapolis-based Pillsbury said Progresso does not offer any condensed soups. Officials at Pittsburgh-based Heinz, which manufactures the bulk of private-label condensed soups, could not be reached for comment.