Campbell’s acquires Wolfgang Puck’s soup division

CHICAGO Campbell Soup has purchased the soup business that was under the Wolfgang Puck name from Country Gourmet Foods, the companies yesterday announced. The Wolfgang Puck soup business was purchased for an undisclosed sum.

Campbell will now hold the licensing rights from Wolfgang Puck Worldwide to market the Wolfgang Puck’s broths, soups and stock products in North America. The company also has said that it has plans to use the new business to expand its organic soups line.

Campbell Soup told the media that last year organic wet soup sales were up 23 percent since 2003, at $150 million. The company said that it does not expect the addition of Wolfgang Puck soups to have an impact on Campbell’s bottom line, but predicts a change after fiscal 2009.