Is Campbell’s Bean with Bacon Soup Discontinued?

Campbell’s Bean with Bacon soup has been a pantry staple for decades. This hearty, savory soup combines navy beans, cured bacon, potatoes and carrots in a comforting broth. But some fans have noticed it missing from store shelves recently, leaving them to wonder – has this classic soup been discontinued?

In this article, we’ll investigate whether Campbell’s Bean with Bacon is gone for good. We’ll look at the history of this soup, reasons discontinuations occur, and potential bean soup alternatives to fill the void.

A Brief History of Campbell’s Bean with Bacon Soup

Campbell’s Condensed Bean with Bacon Soup first hit the market in the 1960s. It quickly joined the ranks of other popular condensed soup flavors like Chicken Noodle, Tomato and Cream of Mushroom.

The ingredients were simple – dried navy beans, bacon, potatoes, carrots, onion, and celery in chicken broth Pour it from the can into a pot, add water, heat and serve This no-fuss soup could make a quick lunch or dinner any night of the week.

Television commercials in the 1970s and 80s cemented Bean with Bacon’s popularity. In them, a hungry kid smells the soup cooking and joyfully exclaims “Bean with Bacon!” before enjoying a steaming bowl.

For years, Campbell’s Bean with Bacon was a staple item families could rely on. Its familiar red and white label was comfort food in a can. But in recent times, fans have struggled to locate it.

Why Do Discontinuations Happen?

When a beloved food item like Bean with Bacon soup vanishes, it leaves consumers both disappointed and puzzled. Why would a company eliminate such a popular product?

There are a few key reasons discontinuations occur:

• Lack of sales – If a product isn’t selling well enough, a company may drop it. Even well-loved items get cut if they aren’t profitable.

• Ingredient costs – If ingredients become too expensive, keeping the item profitable becomes difficult.

• Company restructuring – Corporate reorganization, mergers, or cost-cutting measures can lead to axed products.

• Consumer preferences changing – Evolving tastes over time may render certain items obsolete.

• Food safety concerns – Issues with contamination or sanitation may force a recall and permanent discontinuation.

• New product launches – Making shelf space for new items may push out older ones.

So Campbell’s could have a variety of motivations for potentially ending Bean with Bacon soup’s 50+ year run. But has this actually occurred, or are consumers speculating?

Is Campbell’s Bean with Bacon Soup Being Discontinued?

At this time, Campbell’s has made no official announcements about Bean with Bacon soup being discontinued. The company’s website still lists it as an active product.

However, the soup’s disappearance from store shelves and lack of available ordering options has fueled consumer speculation and concern.

There are a few possible reasons shoppers are struggling to find this classic:

• National supply chain issues – Ongoing supply disruptions make restocking difficult. What’s available regionally and nationally can vary.

• Temporary manufacturing delays – COVID-related production slowdowns may have caused temporary shortages.

• Regional discontinuation – A company can drop a product in certain lower-performing geographies before a national discontinuation.

• Gradual national discontinuation – A phase-out may happen slowly over months or years, with stock disappearing as supplies sell out.

Without official word from Campbell’s, the reason for Bean with Bacon’s scarcity remains unclear. But there’s hope it’s just a temporary absence from shelves.

Potential Alternatives if Bean with Bacon is Discontinued

If Campbell’s ever confirms they’ve stopped producing this classic soup, fans will be disappointed. But there are some possible alternatives to consider:

• Progresso Lentil Soup – Hearty, robust lentil soup with smoky ham flavors.

• Amy’s Organic Split Pea Soup – Thick split pea and veggie soup with turkey sausage.

• Campbell’s Pork and Beans – More of a side dish, but still tasty and bacon-filled.

• Bush’s Baked Beans – Iconic baked beans with bacon in sweet, tangy sauce.

• Copycat recipe – DIY versions mimic the classic Bean with Bacon flavor at home.

While it’s always a bummer when beloved foods get discontinued, other options exist to potentially satisfy your craving. Homemade copycat recipes can come close to the nostalgic Campbell’s original.

Will Campbell’s Bring Bean with Bacon Soup Back?

If Bean with Bacon has indeed been put out to pasture, is there any chance of Campbell’s reviving it in the future?

History shows it’s unlikely a discontinued soup will ever return. But hope springs eternal among fans longing for a favorite’s comeback.

Some ways Campbell’s could respond to customers missing this soup include:

• Issue a press release about the discontinuation reason to provide closure.

• Share the original recipe so people can recreate it themselves.

• Launch an online petition requesting its return.

• Propose a limited-run “retro recipe” line featuring classic items like Bean with Bacon.

Soup-lovers seem unwilling to let this classic fade away completely. Its unique bacon and bean combination created a comforting, satisfying flavor profile. Time will tell whether Campbell’s decides to fire up the production lines again.

Is Bean with Bacon Soup Gone for Good?

While Campbell’s hasn’t confirmed a discontinuation yet, this beloved soup’s disappearance from shelves doesn’t bode well. Ongoing supply issues or low sales likely led to its quiet removal after decades as a pantry staple.

But even if it’s gone for good, Bean with Bacon soup will live on in fond food memories. And alternate soups or homemade recipes can still deliver a similar hearty bean and bacon flavor. Here’s hoping Campbell’s might bring back this classic someday, much to soup-lovers’ relief and delight.