"spaghettios" news and stories

Uh-oh, SpaghettiOs!

Both Campbell's Soup and ConAgra are issuing recalls on processed foods because of potential food safety issues.

Campbell's is recalling about 15 million pounds of canned SpaghettiOs with Meatballs because they contain meatballs which may be under processed, Examiner.com reported.

ConAgra issued a national recall of all Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken & Rice frozen meals because of a potential link to an outbreak of salmonella Chester that has left 29 sick in 14 states, USA Today reported.

The former Campbell Soup Company executive who created SpaghettiOs and Chunky Soup died at his home in southern New Jersey on Sunday, the New York Times reported. He was 83.

The man behind the Os, Donald Goerke, died of heart failure, his son David told the Times.

As a marketing manager for Campbell's Franco-American products, Goerke headed up the team that was asked to develop a new canned pasta for children that had to be both durable -- able to survive canning and reheating -- and to be something parents wouldn't hesitate to serve messy children.

The result?

SpaghettiOs are getting a makeover.

Campbell Soup Company announced that it's cutting the sodium in its SpaghettiOs canned pasta products by up to 35 percent in an effort to make the dishes healthier for kids.

"Offering healthier versions of our products for kids is a major priority for Campbell," Sean Connolly, president of Campbell's U.S. soups, sauces and beverages, said in a statement obtained by Slashfood.

"Changing the recipe of SpaghettiOs comes on the heels of reducing sodium in our condensed kids soups to healthy levels. It's also consistent with our commitment to advertise only sound food choices to children."

The announcement comes a week after General Mills announced it will cut the amount of sugar in its cereals marketed to kids 12 and under, including Lucky Charms and Trix.