General Mills’ brand Progresso has made all its 36 chicken soup products antibiotic and hormone free while also removing artificial flavors and colors in most of its soups.
The soup maker, which has given a new packaging to its ready-to-serve soups products, said that it will remove artificial flavors and colors in its remaining 40% soups by 2019.
Progresso said that it has also reduced sodium levels in more than 40 soup varieties.
Its revised products are available on store shelves throughout the US.
Progresso marketing director Ray Joncas said: “Our purpose and passion is to make great soup just like you’d make it at home. In an effort to continually raise our quality standards, we listen to our consumers.
“So when we asked our consumers what they wanted most, we found that antibiotic free and hormone free chicken was what they wanted most.”
The company also said that it has introduced seven more soups in its certified gluten free product range and plans to roll out more options in the vegetarian soup category.
Earlier this month, General Mills confirmed that Progresso’s plant in Vineland, New Jersey would be closed by the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The closure is expected to impact approximately 370 employees at the facility, which has been in operation since 2001.
In July last year, General Mills revealed its plan to use 100% cage-free eggs to manufacture its products in the US.
The company extended its commitment of using cage-free eggs to products including Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Progresso soups, Yoplait yogurt and Hamburger Helper, The Associated Press reported.
