Campbell’s chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that has been enjoyed by generations of people looking for a warm, soothing meal. The savory broth, tender noodles, carrots, celery, and chicken have made this soup a staple in many households for decades. But with all the different types of chicken available today, from organic to free-range to kosher, many soup lovers wonder: what kind of chicken is actually used in Campbell’s famous chicken noodle soup?
The History of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup
To understand the chicken used in Campbell’s chicken noodle soup today, it helps to look at the history of this iconic product. Campbell’s condensed soups were first introduced in 1897, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that the company launched its chicken noodle variety. Taking inspiration from Jewish style chicken soup recipes, Campbell’s created a version made with chicken stock, chicken meat, noodles, vegetables and seasonings.
In the early days, the chicken used in Campbell’s soup likely came from standard mass market poultry producers. Regulations and labeling requirements were far more lax than they are today. Through the middle part of the 20th century, Campbell’s chicken noodle became one of America’s favorite canned soups, a quick and easy lunch or dinner for families on the go. Several generations grew up enjoying Campbell’s chicken noodle soup from the can.
How Campbell’s Soup is Made Today
Today, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup is still made using a similar recipe and process. According to the company, it starts with real chicken stock. This stock is made by simmering chicken in water to extract flavor and nutrients from the meat. Campbell’s claims they only use high-quality, wholesome chicken in their broth.
The company says they use both light and dark chicken meat in their soups. The white and dark meat is cooked separately, then added to the broth along with egg noodles, vegetables, seasonings and other ingredients. Campbell’s states that all their soups are minimally processed and avoid artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
Where Does the Chicken Come From?
For many years, Campbell’s did not provide much information about the source of the chicken used in their soups. However, consumer demand for transparency led the company to share more details starting in the 2010s.
Today, Campbell’s states that 100% of the chicken used in their soups comes from U.S. farms. They work with suppliers and family farms around the country to obtain chicken raised in a humane and sustainable manner. It is not organic, free-range or described with any other specific labeling terms.
Some consumers wonder if the chicken comes from factory farms. Campbell’s chicken soup contains both light and dark meat, which indicates the use of whole chickens rather than leftover scraps. The company’s commitment to avoiding artificial ingredients also suggests they avoid lower quality factory farm chicken.
How the Chickens are Raised
While not certified organic or free-range, Campbell’s does indicate that the chickens used in their soup are raised in a responsible manner. The company’s animal welfare policy states that suppliers must avoid overcrowded conditions, routine antibiotic use, growth promoters and unnecessary procedures like de-beaking.
Campbell’s requires that chickens must have enough room to engage in natural behaviors. They prohibit cramming birds into overly crowded barns, which is a common practice on some factory farms. All chickens must be rendered unconscious before slaughter to minimize suffering.
These standards are reassuring for consumers worried about inhumane, unhealthy poultry farming methods. Campbell’s chicken noodle soup may not be “organic” in name, but the chicken appears to come from reasonably well-managed farms.
Campbell’s Chicken Soup Certifications
While not certified organic, Campbell’s soups do carry several other food certifications that give insights into their chicken sources. These include:
- American Humane Certified – verifies humane treatment of farm animals
- Cage-Free – confirms chickens were not raised in tight cages
- Raised Without Antibiotics – chickens were raised without routine antibiotics
Campbell’s states that 100% of the chicken used in their soups complies with these certifications. So while specifics like the size of the farms or barns aren’t provided, we know the chickens are raised humanely without tight confinement or routine antibiotics.
Testing Shows No Signs of Factory Farm Chicken
To provide further reassurance, several organizations have tested Campbell’s chicken noodle soup to assess the quality and source of the chicken. Consumer Reports tested multiple samples of the soup and found no signs of factory farmed chicken. Testing showed low levels of contaminants and no traces of drugs commonly used in industrial poultry production.
Both Consumer Reports and the Cornucopia Institute noted the high amounts of natural protein and amino acids in Campbell’s soups, which indicates real chicken raised in sustainable conditions. Testing has not found evidence of anonymous factory farm chicken parts or other questionable ingredients.
No Specific Chicken Breed is Used
Campbell’s doesn’t specify using any particular breed of chicken like Cornish Cross or Leghorn chickens. Their focus appears to be on the way the chickens are raised rather than the specific breed. Since the soup contains both white and dark meat, it’s likely a mix of breeds is used.
By not limiting themselves to one breed, Campbell’s can work with a range of farms and get the best value and quality. The emphasis remains on healthy, humanely raised birds that contribute to a flavorful broth and tender chicken pieces in the soup.
Should You Choose Organic Chicken Soup Instead?
For consumers who want chicken soup made exclusively with organic, free-range or certifiably sustainable poultry, Campbell’s traditional chicken noodle soup may not suffice. However, it’s worth noting that these alternative chicken soups often cost significantly more than the classic Campbell’s cans.
There are now organic and free-range chicken noodle soups on the market. But expect to pay a premium price for these specialty products. Campbell’s provides a reasonably priced option that still upholds certain standards for responsible farming and quality ingredients.
Taste tests also show many consumers actually prefer the flavor of Campbell’s to pricier organic chicken soups. In the end, it’s about your priorities as a consumer and how much you’re willing or able to spend.
Campbell’s Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup
It’s also worth distinguishing the classic Campbell’s chicken noodle soup from Campbell’s Chunky chicken noodle soup line. While the traditional condensed soup uses chicken stock as the base, the Chunky soups contain chunks of cooked chicken in a chicken broth.
Campbell’s states that the same standards and supply chain applies to both types of soups. The chicken pieces in their Chunky line come from U.S. chickens raised humanely without antibiotics or tight living conditions.
Testing backs up these claims, with analysis showing genuine cooked chicken with high protein in the Chunky soups. The main difference from the conventional chicken noodle soup is the extra chicken chunks and slightly heartier broth.
Campbell’s Natural Chicken Noodle Soup
Campbell’s also now offers an organic chicken noodle soup option under their Campbell’s Natural label. Made with organic free-range chicken and organic noodles, this provides a USDA certified organic alternative for consumers who want extra assurance.
As expected, the Campbell’s Natural chicken noodle soup costs significantly more than their traditional can. But for shoppers who want organic credibly, it provides another choice while still sticking with the overall Campbell’s brand.
Conclusion
When it comes to the chicken in Campbell’s famous chicken noodle soup, we may not know the exact farms or breed used. But we do know the chickens are raised humanely in the U.S. without excessive antibiotics, as verified through certifications and independent testing.
While not organic or free-range, the chicken still appears to be reasonably high quality – especially for the price. Campbell’s provides a classic chicken noodle soup made with responsibly raised chicken that passes both their own and third party standards.
So while it may not satisfy every strict diet or satisfy demands for absolute transparency, you can slurp your Campbell’s chicken noodle without too much to worry about. It’s chicken noodle soup made the old fashioned way – but with just enough modern updates to the sourcing and quality to keep it relevant.