While walking down the grocery aisle, you see hundreds of different brands.
While there seems to be an endless supply of brands to choose from, there are just 10 companies that control a large portion of every food and beverage brand in the world. These companies are: Danone, General Mills, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Kellogg’s, Mars, Mondelez and Associated British Foods.
That means our favorite soda brand is most likely owned by the same people packaging our can’t-live-without teas and bottled water. Check out the chart below from Oxfam (a conglomerate of nonprofits that work together to fight poverty around the world) that shows the corporations behind many of our favorite brands:
Note: This infographic was created in 2013, so some of the information may no longer be accurate, though much of it still is.
Oxfam is pushing for these companies to make positive changes, and for customers to understand who is controlling the food they buy in stores so that they, too, can monitor how these companies are treating their employees or sourcing their food. The infographic created by the charity shows how so many of the brands we see in stores are connected with a different brand in another aisle. Oxfam’s website, Behind The Brands, gives brands ratings based on factors like environmental practices and workers’ rights.
Check out Oxfam’s scorecard, and keep reading in order to really understand how boxed rice is connected to gum take a look at which brands belong to the 10 companies.
Mars
Known for its chocolate brands, especially M&M’s but also the company behind Uncle Ben’s Rice, Orbtiz gum and Starburst.
PepsiCo
The holder of the well-known sports drink Gatorade, PepsiCo doesn’t stop at beverages. It also houses the brands to some of your favorite chips including Lays, Cheetos and Sun Chips.
Kellogg’s
Not only does Kelloggs make cereal and Eggo’s, but it owns Pringles, Nutri-Grain and Town House, too.
Nestlé
Forget just chocolate, the company has all things Wonka, Gerber and even sparkling water brand Perrier.
Mondelez
The list of brands for Modelez is extensive including Cadbury, Ritz, Wheat Thins, Oreos and Trident Gum.
