Peter Pan (peanut butter) facts for kids
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| Owner | Post Holdings |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1928 |
| Previous owners | Conagra Brands (1988–2021) Beatrice/Hunt–Wesson (1984–1988) Swift & Company (1928–1984) |
Peter Pan is an American brand of peanut butter that is marketed by Post Consumer Brands, part of Post Holdings. Named after the J. M. Barrie character, the product was introduced by Swift & Company (originally through their "Derby Foods" subsidiary) in 1920 under the name "E. K. Pond" and renamed in 1928.
History
Joseph L. Rosefield patented in 1921 a nonseparating, partially hydrogenated peanut oil peanut butter and licensed his patent to Derby Foods, a subsidiary of Swift & Company.
Originally packaged in a tin can with a turn key and reclosable lid, the product's packaging was changed to glass jars because of metal shortages during World War II. In 1988, Peter Pan was the first brand of peanut butter to be sold in plastic jars.
The product was the main ingredient in Frankford Candy & Chocolate Company's now-discontinued product, Peter Pan Peanut Butter Cups.
On December 8, 2020, Conagra announced that it would sell the Peter Pan brand to Post Holdings. The transaction was completed on January 25, 2021.
Promotion
Past spokesmen for Peter Pan have included actor Sterling Holloway, actor Mark Linn-Baker, comedian Alan Sues, and game show host Art James.
In late August 2007, it was announced that Disney's version of the Peter Pan character would become the mascot for Peter Pan Peanut Butter, alongside many other characters from Disney's 1953 animated film version to appear in their new advertising campaign, possibly in 2009. This would not be the first time: in the mid-1950s, when Peter Pan cosponsored ABC's Disneyland TV series, Tinker Bell often appeared in their ads during the program.
In earlier versions of the product, Peter Pan was clearly pictured as a woman in a Peter Pan costume, rather than as a boy.
Varieties
Peter Pan Peanut Butter is currently sold in 10 varieties: Creamy Original, Crunchy Original, Creamy Whipped, Creamy Honey Roast, Crunchy Honey Roast, Natural Creamy, Natural Creamy Honey Roast, Original Almond Butter, Vanilla Roast Almond Butter, and Honey Roast Almond Butter.
Recall
In February and March 2007, Peter Pan and some Great Value (Walmart's store brand) peanut butters were linked to 425 cases of salmonellosis across the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials believe this is the first Salmonella outbreak involving peanut butter to occur in the United States.
The recall involved both Peter Pan and some Great Value peanut butter with a product code starting with the digits "2111". The recall included all ConAgra-produced peanut butter sold in the United States since October 2004. Peter Pan products returned to stores in late August 2007.
