Fray Bentos (food brand)

Fray Bentos is a renowned food brand that originated in Uruguay. The brand is named after the port city of Fray Bentos, where the original processing plant was located. The brand is best known for its range of canned meat products, including the iconic Fray Bentos meat pie.

History

Fray Bentos was established in the 1860s by a German chemist, Justus von Liebig, who developed a method of preserving meat in cans. The brand was initially owned by Liebig's Extract of Meat Company, which operated the largest meat processing plant in the world in Fray Bentos, Uruguay.

In the 20th century, the brand was acquired by Campbell Soup Company, and later by Baxters. Today, it is owned by the UK-based company Boparan Holdings.

Products

Fray Bentos offers a variety of canned meat products, including corned beef, meatballs, and stews. However, the brand is most famous for its canned pies, which include steak and kidney, chicken and mushroom, and minced beef and onion varieties.

The pies are unique in that they are fully cooked and canned, and only require heating before serving. This has made them a popular choice for convenient, easy-to-prepare meals.

Cultural Impact

Fray Bentos pies have become a cultural icon in the UK, where they are often associated with working-class meals. The brand has also been referenced in various forms of media, including the television series Dad's Army and the film The Full Monty.

See Also

• Canned food
• Food preservation
• Meat processing