Campbell Soup Ads Must Mention Sodium Content

WASHINGTON — 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.

Under the final consent order, any future Campbell’s ads about soups containing more than 500 milligrams of sodium must state the soups’ sodium content and the sodium guideline if they mention heart disease, the FTC said.

Campbell cannot imply that there is a connection between soup and reduced risk of heart disease unless it has supporting scientific or medical evidence, the FTC said.