Campbell\'s Won\'t Answer Ingredient Inquiry

Here's another unsatisfying response from Campbell's regarding Pepperidge Farm products, in repsonse to my question to them about their breads. I also posted this on one of the bread threads:

"We received your message and appreciate your taking the time to contact Pepperidge Farm.

We are sure you understand that some consumers are allergic to a wide range
of ingredients. We receive inquiries, for example, from those allergic to milk, eggs, nuts, and corn, to name only a few. As space is limited on the product package, we cannot highlight all of the possible allergens in the product.

We instead list all of the ingredients used in the product on every package so that our consumers can evaluate whether each product meets their dietary needs.

We hope this information will be helpful to you. Thank you for the compliment you pay us by using our products.

Thank you for visiting the Pepperidge Farm web-site.

Pepperidge Farm Web Team
47m"

This was my return response to them:

"Actually, the reply you sent was not particularly helpful. Many companies offer specific information on allergen ingredients as well as possible cross-contamination due to shared production lines. They do so despite the extra efforts or cost to them because they are concerned about the well-being of their consumers as well as liability issues.

I specifically inquired about your Pepperidge Farm breads. Do they contain nuts or nut oils of any kind, and/or are they produced on shared equipment that also produces nut-containing products? I would greatly appreciate a reply.

There is an increasing incidence of food allergies in this country, and many companies have made concerted efforts to educate consumers about the safety of their products. It seems that your company would benefit from this policy as well. I plan on sharing your responses with online support groups for people with nut and other food allergies."

Oh well . . . we'll see if they respond.

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I ran into a similar situation here in Canada when I called Campbell's regarding the source of Hydrolyzed Plant Protein in a condensed soup they manufacture. Their response was all to familiar now, they refused to identify the source stating "proprietary information".

My response to them was that my son's safety was paramount to me and that I felt it was irresponsible of them not to divulge the source of the HPP given that it "may" contain a potentially lethal allergen.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on Campbell's!

This is another consumer who will NEVER purchase their products again and who will not hesitate to inform anyone who will listen of their draconian policies and urge them to do the same!

GRRRRRR

Katiee (Wade's mom)