Wow! A Classic Pasta Sauce Is Sold To A Canned Soup Company!
Well, this is food news that stunned the culinary world – the famous Rao’s pasta sauces, sold in grocery stores, has been sold to Campbell Soup!
The incredibly delicious Rao’s sauce originated in the popular Italian restaurant in New York of the same name – but it’s incredible success made it a target for a buy – and Campbell Soup swooped in to do just that!
Washington Post Reporter Emily Heil went on to report:
“The brand’s marinara sauce is beloved by many chefs and home cooks who typically wouldn’t opt for a jarred sauce, and it was the top finisher in two Washington Post taste tests of jarred marinara sauces.”
Remember when I shared that story?:
The Washington Post noted that that company made it clear that Campbell’s does not offer a competitor in the “growing ultra-distinctive Italian sauce category,” so hopefully they will just make good on their plan to increase the products visibility…here is the story I shared about the taste test that they dominated earlier this year:
The Washington Post noted that this has sent some shock waves through the food industry:
While analysts praised the deal, some fans worried that the purchase of Rao’s by the major company best known for canned chicken soup might mean a decline in quality. “I will riot if they change this sauce in any way,” one tweeted. “Here comes the high fructose corn syrup,” another wrote.
I made the iconic Rao’s Marinara recipe with their signature Meatball – and then also used the jarred sauce…what happened?
Click here for my taste test!
My first “52 In 22” cooking challenge last year was a foray into Italian food was with the help of The Sopranos – and Stanley Tucci!
Click here for a traditional Italian “Sunday Gravy” with some strong advice from the actor!
I am sharing and storing all of these recipes on my food website “Bite! Eat! Repeat!” – it’s your site for all things food – if you like what you see, please click on my link and follow this blog as well!
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Wow is right
Sadly, I cannot believe that the new owners will not change the ingredients to cut costs. They are all about maximising profits by selling a premium brand with less quality ingredients. I will be happy to proved wrong if they leave it as it is.
Best wishes, Pete.
Great point Pete. It only has 5 ingredients, but if they cut corners or use lesser products, it will show!
John, I saw the news about this sale yesterday. I fear that the quality of the sauce will go down. I don’t blame the Rao family for selling the business but I hope Campbell’s does right by the sauce and keeps it as it is.
They have come out quickly to say they will…it only has 5 ingredients, so it will be easy to see if anything changes…it’s the most expensive pasta sauce but also by far the best – I hope they do indeed respect it!
That sauce looks very delicious.. I just hope Campbells see this as moving forward into a better class of food and don’t change the recipe..