These 10 Companies Control Everything You Buy
These 10 Companies Control Everything You Buy
Oxfam created a mind-boggling infographic that shows how interconnected consumer brands really are
Only 10 companies control almost every large food and beverage brand in the world.
These companies — Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg's, Mars, Associated British Foods, and Mondelez — each employ thousands and make billions of dollars in revenue every year.
In an effort to push these companies to make positive changes — and for customers to realize who controls the brands they're buying — Oxfam created a mind-boggling infographic that shows how interconnected consumer brands really are
Here's a further breakdown of the companies that own the brands and products we use every day:
Kellogg's
Boxes of Kellog's Cereal (Flickr; Mike Mozart)
2015 revenue: $13.5 billion
Forget Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes — Kellogg's also owns noncereal brands including Eggo, Pringles, and Cheez-It.
Associated British Foods
2015 revenue: $16.6 billion
This British company owns brands such as Dorset Cereals and Twinings tea, as well as the retailer Primark.
General Mills
2015 revenue: $17.6 billion
General Mills is best known for cereals like Cheerios and Chex, but it also owns brands like Yoplait, Hamburger Helper, Haagen-Dazs, and Betty Crocker.
Danone
2015 revenue: $24.9 billion
Best known for yogurts like Activa, Yocrunch, and Oikos, Danone also sells medical nutrition products and bottled water.
Mondelez
2015 revenue: $29.6 billion
This snack-centric company's brands include Oreo, Trident gum, and Sour Patch Kids.
Mars
2015 revenue: $33 billion
Mars is best known for its chocolate brands, such as M&M, but it also owns Uncle Ben's rice, Starburst, and Orbit gum.
Coca-Cola
2015 revenue: $44.3 billion
Coca-Cola is moving beyond soda, with beverage brands including Dasani, Fuze, and Honest Tea.
Unilever
2015 revenue: $59.1 billion
Unilever's diverse list of brands includes Axe body spray, Lipton tea, Magnum ice cream, and Hellmann's mayonnaise.
PepsiCo
2015 revenue: $63 billion
In addition to Pepsi and other sodas, PepsiCo also owns brands such as Quaker Oatmeal, Cheetos, and Tropicana.
Nestlé
2015 revenue: $87 billion
Brands you may not have known that Nestlé owns include Gerber baby food, Perrier, DiGiorno, and Hot Pockets — plus, of course, candy brands including Butterfinger and KitKat.