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 a well-known American brand of peanut butter. It is made by Post Consumer Brands, which is part of Post Holdings. The brand gets its name from the famous character, Peter Pan, created by J. M. Barrie. This tasty peanut butter was first introduced in 1928. Peter Pan was also one of the first peanut butter brands to be sold in plastic jars, starting in 1988.
Contents
Discovering Peter Pan Peanut Butter
The Story Behind the Brand
Early Beginnings and New Ideas
The story of Peter Pan peanut butter began in 1915. A company called Derby Foods first made peanut butter. They sold it under the name of their E.K. Pond Company. They also tried selling peanut butter with other names like "Yankee" and "Toyland." However, these brands were not very successful.
A big change happened in 1921. A person named Joseph L. Rosefield created a special way to make peanut butter. His method kept the oil from separating. This made the peanut butter smoother and more consistent. It was a new and improved way to make peanut butter.
Becoming "Peter Pan"
In 1923, Derby Foods started using Rosefield's new method. They first sold this improved peanut butter under names like "Dainty" or "Delicia." But these names didn't help sales much.
The real success came in 1928. Derby Foods decided to use the popular name "Peter Pan." This name came from the famous play by James M. Barrie. People loved the new name, and Peter Pan Peanut Butter quickly became a best-seller!
Packaging Through the Years
When Peter Pan peanut butter first came out, it was sold in tin cans. These cans had a special key to open them. They also had a lid that could be closed again. During World War II, metal was needed for the war effort. Because of this, the packaging changed to glass jars.
In 1988, Peter Pan made another big change. It became the very first brand of peanut butter to be sold in plastic jars. This made the jars lighter and less likely to break.
The ownership of the Peter Pan brand also changed over time. On January 25, 2021, Post Holdings became the new owner of the Peter Pan brand.
Famous Faces and Fun Promotions
Over the years, many famous people helped promote Peter Pan peanut butter. These included actors like Sterling Holloway and Mark Linn-Baker. Comedian Alan Sues and game show host Art James also helped share the word.
Interestingly, in some older advertisements, the character of Peter Pan was shown as a woman in a costume. This was different from the boy character in the original stories.
Exploring Peter Pan Varieties
Today, Peter Pan offers many different kinds of peanut butter. You can find classic choices like Creamy Original and Crunchy Original. There are also special flavors like Creamy Whipped, Creamy Honey Roast, and Crunchy Honey Roast.
For those who like natural options, there's Natural Creamy and Natural Creamy Honey Roast. Peter Pan also makes different kinds of almond butter. These include Original Almond Butter, Vanilla Roast Almond Butter, and Honey Roast Almond Butter.
Keeping Food Safe: The 2007 Recall
In 2007, Peter Pan peanut butter faced a challenge related to food safety. Some jars of Peter Pan and a few Great Value peanut butters were linked to health concerns. These concerns were due to a type of bacteria called Salmonella.
To keep everyone safe, the company quickly took action. They announced a recall of certain products in February and March 2007. This recall included Peter Pan and some Great Value peanut butter with specific product codes. The codes started with "2111." The recall covered all affected peanut butter made by ConAgra since October 2004.
After working hard to ensure safety, Peter Pan products returned to stores. This happened in late August 2007. This event showed how important it is for food companies to make sure their products are safe for everyone.
