Campbell Soup

Campbell Soup Co. said Monday that it is buying an Orange County company that is a major supplier of hamburger buns and English muffins to McDonald's Corp. around the world. Fresh Start Foods L.P., which has annual sales of about $75 million, operates several large commercial bakeries that cater to a single customer: McDonald's. The company, based in Brea, has operations in the United States, including a bakery in City of Industry, as well as in Europe and South America.

William Beverly Murphy, 86, former president of Campbell Soup Co. A native of Appleton, Wis., Murphy served as president and chief executive officer of Campbell from 1953 until his retirement in 1972. During his tenure, the New Jersey company tripled its sales and introduced innovative products including V-8 vegetable juice, Swanson TV dinners and Godiva chocolates. On May 29 in Bryn Mawr, Pa., of pneumonia.

Shares of agricultural biotechnology pioneer Calgene took a drubbing on the stock market Monday in response to reports that Campbell Soup, one of Calgene's primary supporters in the development of its genetically engineered tomato, was backing away from its commitment. Calgene characterized as "inaccurate and misleading" a report from the activist group Pure Food Campaign that Campbell Soup was withdrawing its support--a potential blow to both Calgene and the fledgling ag-biotech industry.

Campbell Soup Co. has promised to state the sodium content of its soups, as well as the recommended maximum daily intake of sodium, in most advertisements that mention heart disease, the Federal Trade Commission announced Friday. The FTC accused Campbell in 1989 of falsely linking the low-fat, low-cholesterol content of most of its soups to a reduced risk of some types of heart disease. The ad failed to mention that the soups were high in sodium, the FTC said.

Zhou Yunhua was all smiles after shelling out 150 yuan ($27) on an assortment of Avon facial products. "The sales girl was very persuasive," Zhou said, explaining why she just parted with one-third of her monthly salary. "I've heard American products can make people look beautiful," said Zhou, a 31-year-old shoe factory worker. "If it works, then it's not expensive. But if it doesn't, then it won't be worth one yuan."

The Campbell Kids--the chubby-faced cartoon cherubs who have helped advertise the soup company for more than 80 years--are getting hip. The Campbell Soup Co. said the characters will make their rapping debut next week in a television jingle. "Rapping is mainstream today," Campbell Soup spokesman Kevin Lowery said. "Children love rap." Created in 1904 to help sell condensed soups, the Campbell Kids have portrayed chefs, football players, sailors and other characters in vogue over the years.

Campbell Soup Co., expanding a restructuring program to ward off any hostile takeover, said Friday that it will cut its work force by 20% and sell businesses with revenues of more than $300 million a year. Campbell said that, with the job cuts already announced, it will reduce its worldwide staff of 55,000 by about 11,000.

Campbell Soup Co. today announced a major restructuring plan that will eliminate 3,000 jobs worldwide and includes the sale of U.S. and Canadian fresh foods and fresh produce businesses with combined net sales of more than $300 million. The moves will result in after-tax charges of $247 million against fiscal 1990 net earnings, the company said. Campbell plans to sell its Sumter, S.C., frozen poultry operation, which employs about 1,200 people. It also plans to close plants in Fremont, Neb.

Campbell Soup Co. said today it plans to sell several of its European food units in an effort to focus on its more profitable businesses. On the auction block are D. Lazzaroni & C. SpA of Italy; Campbell Seafoods Division, which operates in the United Kingdom and Belgium; the vegetable division of Campbell Foods PLC in England; and Campbell Irish Foods Ltd. and Mallow Foods Ltd., both of Ireland.