What the beautiful people eat on their nights off (Photo by Ingorrr) May 14 marks the birth of an iconic invention. On this day in 1965, the late Donald Goerke unveiled SpaghettiOs, the meal in a can that was destined to make children come running like cats at the click of a can opener. It would be rivaled in canned-food fame only by Spam, and would consistently sell more than 100 million count per year for generations to come. I admit I was one of those kids who cheered when the dinner menu consisted of a bowl of O-shaped noodles swimming in mysterious orange-ish sauce. I dare not taste them with an adult palate, however, for fear of spoiling the pleasurable memory. If you decide to revisit the flavors of youth, you might make a casserole (either plain or fancy) using the Os. Rather than use genuine SpaghettiOs in a recipe, though, some have attempted to copy the recipe (in cheesy and even vegan versions). The Campbell Soup Company recently changed their SpaghettiOs recipe, claiming to have reduced the sodium content by more than a third, a move that many processed food manufacturers have been making voluntarily as the FDA considers regulating sodium levels. Along with potential adverse health effects of sodium, another consumer worry is plaguing the canned food industry. Although U.S. manufacturers have mostly abandoned the use of lead solder in food packaging, recent studies have identified potential risks associated with the chemical compound Bisphenol-A, a component in the lining of cans. While differing experts will tell you that you either should or shouldn’t worry, a University of Missouri endocrinologist has at least taken canned tomatoes out of his own pantry. The good news is that a quest is on for BPA-free cans. They’re already in use for some foods, but the FDA has yet to approve them for foods with high acidity (including, yep, those darn tomatoes). Positive changes in the industry are certainly welcome in the name of health. I just hope they never change Spaghetti-Os too much. That would be a big uh-oh. Suggested Sites... MySlurp.com - as if the food wasn't fun enough -- kids can play with their virtual Os in these online games. Mealtime.org - recipes, research, and resources from the Canned Food Alliance. Can and Aerosol News - latest news from the industry. 10 Sophisticated Variations On Your Favorite Childhood Foods - from The Learning Channel. College Eating and Fitness 101 - for students living off canned food, some nutrition tips.

Directory categories: Food and Drink, Copycat Recipes, Canning, Packaging, Food Safety

Archived under: Brands, Cooking, Eating, Food and Drink, Health, Inventors, Kids, Nostalgia, Snacks

Post a comment (1) | Email this posting