Say it ain't so, SpaghettiOs
There are some minor events in one's childhood that stand out while other, more important events are forgotten. It's been more than 40 years, but I can still recall my introduction to one of the greatest foods known to man: SpaghettiOs. And I'm still eating them (meatballs version only; don't even talk to me about sliced franks). But life as I know it is about to change, and not for the better. Campbell's Soup Co., the makers of this delectable treat (Even cats like it!), has announced that it will cut the amount of sodium in SpaghettiOs by as much as 35 percent. Said Sean Connolly, president of Campbell's U.S. soups, sauces and beverages division, "Changing the recipe of SpaghettiOs comes on the heels of reducing sodium in our condensed kids soups to healthy levels. It's also consistent with our commitment to advertise only sound food choices to children." Screw that. What about us big kids? Couldn't they make a "classic" version of SpaghettiOs for those of us who don't give a damn about our sodium intake and make a tasteless kids version? This is just another assault on traditional (bad-for-you) foods that we all knew and loved. Oreos and Twinkies are now just poor imitations or their original selves. I don't know what they did to Dinty Moore beef stew, but it isn't good. And don't try to tell me that McDonald's fries are as good now as they were when Ronald was deep-frying his taters in beef tallow. I'm all for giving our kids healthy food, but the occasional can of SpaghettiOs isn't going to ruin them. Heck, I ate a boatload of SpaghettiOs when I was a kid, and I was skinny as a rail back then. It wasn't until I made beer the base of my own personal food pyramid that I climbed aboard the train to Fatville. So, in the name of all that is decent, good and holy, I beg of you Campbell's, leave my O's alone.
Labels: Food, Health, Life in General
posted by Brant at
10:57 AM
14 Comments:
After much outcry Coke went back to the Classic Flavor. I wish you the best on your SpegettiO's protest. My first three loved them but the toddlers I have now... not a bite of SpagettiO's has touched their lips. High sodium was the second factor in our banning of the yummy O's. First was the orange sauce, it stains everything it comes in contact with to include the table and skin. I can't help but think what it does to the digestive system, poor little kidneys working overtime.
Adults should not eat pasta products that come in cans. Have you no shame?
Very little. ;-)
I have to disagree with anonymous. One of my favorite secret guilty treats is opening a big ol' can of Chef Boy-Ar-Dee ravioli and eating it right out of the can. Now, according to the commercials, I'm also getting a full serving of vegetables. AAARRRGGGGHHH!!! Is there no end to the madness? If they start making a "light" version of my beloved Carlo Rossi wine, I'm offing myself.
Food producers are responding in a big way to the rapid changes in what consumers want. O's aren't that good. What's wrong with pouring a salt shaker on your bowl, Brant? And then check your blood pressure.
I grew up on Franco American canned spaghetti until my mom started making her own, watery but tasty substitute. I was probably 18 before I had thick spaghetti sauce. Still diggin' the canned ravioli, but spaghetti -- in O's or noodles -- from a can just doesn't scratch my itch these days.
Scott, amazingly enough, this old, fat smoker has perfect blood pressure, and my cholesterol is at reasonable levels. Go figure. Must be in the genes. I don't think anybody is suggesting that one should eat a big can of SpaghettiOs at every meal, but when I do eat a can, I'd like it to taste good, and no matter what the health nuts say, salt makes food taste good.
I have seen you in public.
Let's just say you could lose a few lunches, or find something else processed or full enough of sugar to survive.
Moderation. It's all about moderation.
Anon, I can't deny that. I'm guessing that if I had a couple jugs of water, I could survive quite a while on my "reserves." I'm going to make yet another weight-loss attempt after the holidays. So maybe it's good that the SpaghettiOs won't be so enticing. ;-)
Brant you would be surprised how far exercise and diet will take ya! Just remember a few short years ago. "Extend to left, move"! I ate more than I ever have in bootcamp and yet I was a rock. I don't think it's over eating, I think we don't eat the right way.
They are going to change the recipe for SpaghettiO's, but there is a shortage of EGGO WAFFLES!
Okay, I think the SpaghettiO's ran it's course.
Hey how about that tax increase in Washington? Nice. We have been hearing it on tv for so long that America is broke, and haven't seen it in our backyards till now. The only way out of this hole is to tax the hell out of all of us. Instead of stop spending, we will just tax more! The real ugly truth here is your home value went down 15% last year. Then they still raise taxes? Shouldn't they lower taxes? They can't, why? Inflation!
Taxes going up,inflation and food prices out of control, can we afford health care? Can we afford climategate? Did your paycheck go up last year? How is that NAFTA working out for you? Before we give total control to these punch drunks in Washington that are so out of touch with the common man. We all should try to make our states pull it's own strings on the Federal Govt and remind the Fed who is really in charge.
"Pleeeeze! Pleeeze! say it ain't so!" I agree leave us alone! If we want to sin occassionaly that's our choice. Those childhood food memories bring us comfort when we have an exceptional brutal day, when the world is cruel and cold, I drag myself home only to want to smile again and remember when there were happier times! OK I'm over dramatic, but really it's alright to induldge now and then. Let us have it!
This news was apparently just too much to bear:
DELRAN, N.J. (AP) — The Campbell Soup Co. executive who was behind the enduring brands SpaghettiOs and Chunky Soup has died.
Donald Goerke (GUHR’-kee) was 83. A Campbell spokesman confirmed that Goerke died of heart failure Sunday at his home in Delran in southern New Jersey.
Goerke was marketing research director of Campbell’s Franco-American line in the early 1960s when his group started dreaming up pasta in shapes that would appeal to kids. He chose the o’s. They were marketed with the unforgettable tagline, “Uh-oh, SpaghettiOs.”
Later, he helped introduce Chunky Soup, a hearty ready-to-serve soup that stood out from the company’s traditional line of condensed soups.
The Waukesha, Wis., native worked for Camden-based Campbell for 35 years, retiring in 1990.
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