Heinz, the food giant that has sold soup in Britain since 1910, is introducing a new range of soups in plastic pouches, marketed as “ready-to-eat recipes”. The pouches can be microwaved directly, unlike metal cans which require a tin opener and decanting into a microwave-safe bowl.
New format for a century-old staple
The change will first be noticed by shoppers at Tesco and Ocado. The company, more than 150 years old, has seen its cans of soup become a common sight at lunchtimes on office desks, building sites and in homes across the nation.
Making it easier to warm up soup was the motivation for the shake-up, according to Alessandra de Dreuille, Heinz’s director of meals. She told Metro: “Heinz has always been committed to making mealtimes easier without compromising on great flavours.”
Four flavours and pricing
The four flavours sold in pouches are Butternut Squash & Spices, Chicken Broth & Garden Veg, Black Lentil Dhal, and Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato. The pouches retail for £2.25 per 350g pouch.
De Dreuille added: “We wanted to create something new that combines the comfort of a bowl of soup with natural ingredients and a convenient format for busy lifestyles. With four delicious recipes to choose from, our new range offers a simple way to enjoy a warming and nutritious meal, at home or on the go.”
Availability and packaging context
The bags were introduced to Canada last month as the company made its “first entry into Canada’s ready-to-eat soup category”. In the UK, the new pouches are available online at Ocado or on the shelves at Tesco.
It does not appear to be the beginning of the end for Heinz metal cans, as the company has not suggested they will be phased out. Soup tins are typically made from steel, rather than the aluminium used for canned drinks. However, both metals can be recycled infinitely without losing their quality, unlike plastic.
