Eagle Brand History

Over 160 Years of Sweetness

Throughout our rich history, we have been creating memories with consumers by helping them create desserts their families and friends love. Our recipes, like our Eagle Brand can, have been passed down generation to generation. Whether it’s a holiday necessity like pumpkin pie, special occasion desserts like cakes and cupcakes, to every-day treats like our magic cookie bars, Eagle Brand has been helping bakers treat the ones they love.

1856
1856 Gail Borden creates Eagle Brand

Gail Borden introduced Eagle Brand in 1856 to fight food poisoning and other illnesses related to lack of refrigeration and preservation techniques. His discovery provided milk that would remain safe and wholesome.

The Civil War helped Eagle Brand become a household name. The military needed milk that would keep well, and Borden’s products filled that need.

Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk was credited with significantly lowering the infant mortality rate in North America.

1858
Eagle Brand History 1858

Gail Borden established the New York Condensed Milk Company, along with the first usage of the Eagle Brand & American Bald Eagle trademarks.

1864
Eagle Brand History 1864

Gail Borden’s New York Condensed Milk Company constructed the New York Milk Condensery in Brewster, New York. It was the largest and most advanced milk factory of its day. During this time, demand increased driven by the American Civil War.

1899
Eagle Brand History 1899

Incorporated the Borden Condensed Milk Co.

1900s
Eagle Brand History 1900

Borden modernizes dairy industry & his methods for sanitation form the basis for many modern health department regulations.

1931
1931 Borden Kitchens8217 promotion

In 1931, a Borden Kitchens’ promotion offered homemakers $25 for their original recipes. The rules called for “recipes in which Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk makes cooking quicker, easier, and surer.” Over 80,000 recipes were submitted. Quick and easy foolproof recipes have been a key benefit of Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk through the decades.

1939
1939 elsie the borden cow

Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk continued to grow in popularity, gaining promotional assistance from Elsie®, the Borden® Cow. Elsie® made her debut in national consumer magazines in 1938 and starred in Borden’s exhibit at the New York World’s Fair in 1939.

1960
1960 desserts with sweetened condensed milk

By the 1960s, Elsie® had become America’s best-known spokes-cow—a recognized symbol of wholesomeness and quality. Good cooks throughout the country continue to create desserts with Sweetened Condensed Milk from the can bearing the Elsie image.

1994
1994 Low Fat Sweetened Condensed Milk

Low Fat Sweetened Condensed Milk was introduced in 1994, containing half the fat of the original Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. It’s a combination of whole and skim milk for a low-fat alternative.

1995
1995 Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk was introduced in 1995, containing skim milk. It lets you make the same delicious Eagle Brand recipes without the added fat.

All varieties are available in 14-ounce cans.

2015
Eagle Brand History 2015

The Eagle Family Foods Group, LLC was established and named after the Eagle Brand condensed milk created by Gail Borden in 1856. Our sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk brands include Eagle Brand, Magnolia, PET Milk, Milnot, and Meadow Gold.

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