Pepperidge Farm Reduces Sodium in Eight of Its Breads

Pepperidge Farm has reformulated eight of its bread varieties, including its 100% Natural line, to reduce their sodium content by at least 25 percent. The company, a leading maker of wholesome and healthful breads and rolls, is continuing its leadership role in the bakery category by providing breads that deliver all the great taste and freshness people expect from Pepperidge Farm, but with reduced sodium levels.

Pepperidge Farm, which is a subsidiary of Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB), is building on its parent company's commitment to reducing sodium – while maintaining taste – across its portfolio of brands. Pepperidge Farm leveraged Campbell’s extensive research and development and achieved the sodium reductions with the help of a unique, natural sea salt that contains less sodium than regular salt while preserving 100% of the flavor. This is the same sea salt used in Campbell's most recent line of reduced sodium soups, which topped Information Resources Inc.'s list of the hottest new supermarket products (sales) of 2007.¹

Pepperidge Farm reduced sodium breads come in eight varieties – 100% Natural 100% Whole Wheat, 100% Natural German Dark Wheat, 100% Natural Honey Flax, 100% Natural Sprouted Wheat, 100% Natural 9-Grain, Original White, Oatmeal and Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat.

"Providing wholesome, healthful bakery products that taste great has always been a top priority for Pepperidge Farm,” said Tim Hassett, General Manager, Pepperidge Farm. "Our company's commitment in this area began with our founder Margaret Rudkin, who responded to the needs of her allergic son by developing wholesome bread that tasted great and provided nutritional benefits. More than 70 years later, we are as committed as ever to delivering breads that are good for you and taste great. We even reduced the sodium in Margaret’s original loaf of bread – our Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat. By reformulating these popular breads to lower their sodium levels, we are giving people who are seeking to reduce their sodium some delicious new options to add to their diet."

Pepperidge Farm reduced sodium breads are available now at all major supermarkets, grocery stores and mass merchandisers nationwide with suggested retail prices ranging from $2.89 to $3.89.

Simple Tips to Reduce Sodium in One’s Diet

To help launch the company’s new reduced sodium breads, author and health educator Lisa Drayer, M.A., R.D., has compiled a number of tips to assist people in reducing their sodium intake as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

"The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend consuming less than 2,300 milligrams, or approximately one teaspoon, of sodium per day – yet the average American consumes more than 150 percent of that amount². These higher levels can contribute to the development of hypertension and related heart illnesses,” said Drayer. "What’s more, research shows that the risk of middle-aged and elderly individuals developing hypertension is as high as 90 percent³. By reducing sodium intake through simple changes in their daily diets, thousands of Americans each year can reduce their exposure to this serious health risk⁴. Yet many people don’t seek out lower sodium options because they are concerned about taste.

"I’m thrilled to partner with Pepperidge Farm to support its sodium reduction efforts,” Drayer added. "The breads taste delicious and show people that there are great-tasting products they can enjoy as part of a healthy lifestyle."

Lisa’s tips to help meet recommended daily sodium levels include:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
• Prepare foods with herbs to boost their flavor while cutting back on added salt.
• Take advantage of the many foods that are available in reduced sodium versions – incorporate reduced sodium soups, sauces and breads into your daily diet.
• In restaurants, ask for reduced sodium condiments such as reduced sodium soy sauce, or even balsamic vinegar for your salad.
• Remove the salt shaker from the table.
• Drain and rinse canned vegetables or beans to remove excess salt.
• Get into the habit of reading nutrition labels carefully with a goal of consuming less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Individuals with hypertension, African Americans and middle-aged and older adults should aim to consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily.

For additional information on Pepperidge Farm reduced sodium breads, please visit www.pepperidgefarm.com.

About Pepperidge Farm

Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a leading provider of premium quality fresh bakery products, cookies, crackers, and frozen foods. Among the company’s most popular products are Chocolate Chunk and Milano^® cookies, Goldfish^® crackers, and more than 50 varieties of fresh baked breads including Swirl, Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse^™, 100% Natural and Whole Grain.

Pepperidge Farm was founded in Connecticut in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, an entrepreneurial homemaker who began baking fresh, all-natural bread for her allergic son. The company is now a nationwide business with 8 manufacturing facilities, almost 5,000 employees, almost 4,000 independent distributorships, and over $1 billion in sales. Pepperidge Farm was acquired by Campbell Soup Company in 1961.

¹ Information Resources Inc.'s (IRI) list of the hottest new supermarket products (sales) of 2007

² Center for Disease Control and Prevention

³ JMA, Residual Lifetime Risk for Developing Hypertension in Middle-aged Women and Men, 2/27/02

⁴ Stephen Havas, MD, MPH, MS, Edward J. Roccella, PhD, MPH, and Claude Lenfant, MD, "Reducing the Public Health Burden From Elevated Blood Pressure Levels in the United States by Lowering Intake of Dietary Sodium," American Journal of Public Health, 2004 January; 94(1): 19–22.