-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000057528-09-000015.txt : 20090227
<SEC-HEADER>0000057528-09-000015.hdr.sgml : 20090227
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090227144209
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000057528-09-000015
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090225
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090227
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090227

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEAKE EARL D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001240912

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-00398
		FILM NUMBER:		09641912

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8600 SOUTH BLVD
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28273

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LANCE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000057528
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COOKIES & CRACKERS [2052]
		IRS NUMBER:				560292920
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1230

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8600 SOUTH BLVD
		STREET 2:		POST OFFICE BOX 32368
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28232
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7045541421

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 32368
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28232
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-25</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000057528</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LANCE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LNCE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001240912</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEAKE EARL D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P. O. BOX 32395</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLOTTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28232</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>$.83-1/3 par value Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14060.95</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>$.83-1/3 par value Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3067</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
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                </natureOfOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>$.83-1/3 par value Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-25</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>848</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>$.83-1/3 par value Common Stock</value>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
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                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>$.83-1/3 par value Common Stock</value>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>As Trustee</value>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>14.45</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-01-24</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
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            <expirationDate>
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            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2675.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2675.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-04-24</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-04-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3450.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3450.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                    <value></value>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-03-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-03-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5800.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5800.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.70</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-03-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-03-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9957.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9957.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-02-21</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7150.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7150.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-02-21</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>19299.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19299.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.71</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-23</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18282</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                    <value>18282</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
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                    <value>D</value>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Equity Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F14"/>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>36000.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36000.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes shares attributable to acquisitions under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted shares awarded pursuant to the 2007 Key Employee Incentive Plan, a Rule 16b-3 Plan.  Shares vest in three (3) equal annual installments beginning 2/21/2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Restricted shares awarded pursuant to the 2007 Key Employee Incentive Plan, a Rule 16b-3 Plan.  Shares vest in three (3) equal annual installments beginning immediately upon award date of 2/23/2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Restricted shares awarded pursuant to the 2007 Key Employee Incentive Plan, a Rule 16b-3 Plan.  Shares vest in three (3) equal annual installments beginning 2/23/2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Shares held through the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, a Rule 16b-3 Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Options granted pursuant to the 1997 Incentive Equity Plan, a Rule 16b-3 Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Options are fully exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Options granted pursuant to the 2003 Key Employee Stock Plan, as amended, a Rule 16b-3 Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Options granted pursuant to the 2007 Key Employee Incentive Plan, a Rule 16b-3 Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Options are fully exercisable upon award date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Options become exercisable in three (3) equal annual installments beginning 3/8/2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Options become exercisable in three (3) equal annual installments beginning 2/21/2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">Options become exercisable in three (3) equal annual installments beginning 2/23/2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F14">Each performance equity unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Company's common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F15">The performance equity units will vest on December 31, 2010, based on the achievement of certain performance measures with respect to the market price of the Company's common stock pursuant to the terms of the Lance, Inc. 2006 Five-Year Performance Equity Plan for Officers and Senior Managers.  Vested shares of common stock will be issued as soon as practicable after performance measures are calculated and approved, generally within 75 days after the end of the Company's 2010 fiscal year.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/Earl D. Leake/ by Edward H. Schuth, his Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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