Campbell Soup Co. is 136 years old, but it continues to innovate, as evidenced by its launch of a line of restaurant-style, ready-to-serve soups in aseptic cartons that will be available nationwide in October.

Campbell will be rolling out the Select Gold Label aseptic soups in cartons that carry a shelf life of nine to 12 months.

About two years ago, Campbell launched Gardennay aseptically packaged soups in Canada. One article described the line as “the first shelf-stable, ready-to-serve Combibloc® soup to hit grocery store shelves in North America.”

“We’ve had experience with aseptic soups in France, Australia, and Canada,” explains John Faulkner, Campbell Soup’s Director of Brand Communications. “We’ve been able to demonstrate to the Food and Drug Administration that we can bring aseptic soup into the United States that meets its guidelines. The product is cooked ahead of time, then hot-filled into a sterile carton.”

The rectangular carton includes an ink-jet-printed best-before date code that’s easily readable along its top. There’s no reclosure feature.

Five varieties will be marketed in the cartons in 500-g (18.3-oz) quantities, with a $2.99 suggested retail price. Reclosable 1-L versions will be available in multipacks at club stores.

By Jim Butschli, Packaging World