UK consumers see Warhol’s famous Campbell’s soup painted out of portfolio

British consumers are to lose the soup brand Campbell’s, made famous in works by pop artist Andy Warhol. The name is being phased out by the marque’s UK owner Premier Foods as its limited license to continue using ‘Campbell’s’ expires in mid-2008. The soups will be renamed under the Batchelor’s label.

The situation arose after Premier bought the UK and Ireland business from the Campbell Soup Company but did not receive the rights to the brand name along with the company. The recipes for the soups will remain the same but all 22 varieties on shelves will bear the Batchelor’s name.

The US-based Campbell Soup Company will continue to produce its soups under the original Campbell’s brand name but these must not be sold in UK shops for five years.