Back in April we told you about how Campbell’s Soup was in some legal hot water over labels that declared “25% less sodium” but contained no less sodium than before. Earlier this week, the soup giant settled a pair of related lawsuits for $173,000.

The district attorneys for Alameda and San Diego counties had both filed suit, alleging that the “25% less sodium” burst on the label is misleading, as the sodium amount in the soup remained unchanged.

Since the beginning of these legal challenges, Campbell’s has maintained that the label is accurate because underneath the big “25% less sodium” it adds in smaller type “than regular condensed soup.”

A rep for Campell’s tells KGO-TV the settlement is not an admission that the labels are misleading, but rather a cost-effective way to rid itself of the lawsuits:

[The] labels and advertising were accurate and in compliance with the law. We settled the case to avoid the expense and inconvenience associated with litigation. Campbell agreed to a new process for labeling and advertising claims in California to avoid inconsistent comparisons between the same varieties of reduced sodium condensed and regular condensed soup.

Campbell’s settles lawsuit over low sodium soup labels [KGO-TV]

Thanks to Stephanie for the tip!

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