CAMPBELL’S CREAM OF POTATO SOUP — FAR FROM HOMEMADE™

Information updated September 2024

There are certain foods from our childhood whose taste is forever etched into our palates. For millions of children in the U.S., one of those flavors is Campbell's Soup.

WHAT IS THE RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE CREAM OF POTATO SOUP? We'll look at this first so we have something with which to compare the Campbell's Soup. The ingredients for homemade Cream of Potato Soup are pretty simple with Potatoes, Water or Stock, Onion, Cream, Butter and seasonings like Black Pepper and Salt.

Once upon a time, the first ingredient in Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Potato Soup was Potatoes. Now, it is Water >> even thought we’re suppose to add more Water or Milk for Preparation. (Sources: Historical Campbell’s Cream of Potato Soup Label; Campbell’s Web site 9/24)

Here’s a closer look at the ingredients in 2024:

Seen below, THE FOODSERVICE VERSION FOR SCHOOLS K-12 OF CAMPBELL'S CREAM OF POTATO SOUP IS A DIFFERENT FORMULA: Upon close inspection, we see there are additional ingredients in the commercial food service version of this soup which is cited in Campbell's Foodservice Directory for schools K-12.

Q: Why has Campbell's created an even Farther From Homemade version of their Cream of Potato soup for kids at school? 

Two of the additional ingredients we see in the Campbell's Soup school version which are banned at Whole Foods - Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate - are flavor enhancers, kin to MSG.

Once upon a time, Campbell’s Cream of Potato Soup was compared to Vichyssoise and the message was “Soup like this would cost 500 francs in a fine French restaurant”.

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Campbell’s Condensed Soups were originally frozen and the Cream of Potato Soup contained Fresh Whole Milk: