Guess what appeared in my mailbox yesterday? Some fan mail from Campbells! Their letter was postmarked 10/14, a couple of days before the crazy anonymous commenting thing. Here’s what they had to say about the chicken broth with the alien baby floating in it…

Based upon your description, it appears that the product may have been spoiled before you opened it. If the seal is broken before the container is opened, microorganisms in the air may cause the product to spoil…

I would say that’s the conclusion we’ve all arrived at. In addition to their letter, they sent me all of this:

Thank you for handling the problem appropriately, Campbells/Swanson – we’re good. I’m not mad at you! My kids eat grilled cheese with tomato soup every Sunday. We can’t quit you! I wasn’t even expecting such a generous cache of coupon savings, either. My only issue was with your staffer trying to explain away the problem in such a sneaky way.

My husband, though, thinks all of this is ridiculous. I told him the entire sordid tale, about blogging about the mold, the Campbells/Swanson person leaving me an anonymous comment, and about finally getting my coupons. And when I finished my story, he rolled his eyes and said, “Good sleuthing, Scooby.”

I think that’s my cue to step away from my consumer watchdog role.

Possibly Related

• October 16, 2009 -- Update to the Campbells/Swanson Mold Thing.
• October 1, 2009 -- What the…MOLD in unopened Swanson’s Chicken Broth??
• October 19, 2007 -- Cold Sores are Pretty.
• April 13, 2006 -- Boredom and Piss.