Ever wonder who owns organic brands you see on the shelves in the grocery store? Better still – which of all these new organic brands belongs to whom?
Well, it turns out you have come to the right place. This chart lays out the parent companies of each major organic label you are likely to see in the supermarket and what food stuffs they are selling. We have broken the chart into two distinct groups – agribusiness and independent labels (extended methodology is available below the chart). We hope this helps you determine the true owners of your food.
Note: Both charts can be re-categorized by clicking on the column headings
Notes:
Our distinction for calling a brand agribusiness is based on whether or not they are part of a corporate conglomerate whose main focus is not organics. Parent companies whose primary business is organics were placed in the independent category because often, they were the pioneers in using organic, healthy ingredients in the marketplace long before it was a popular choice.
Many of the brand labels you see listed in the ‘Agribusiness’ section (like Green & Black’s for example) were once organic pioneers in their respective fields – so this may cause you some confusion; thats exactly why this chart was made. Many (but not all) agribusiness interests count on you not being able to associate their organic labels with the parent company. We believe this is a dishonest practice. With the price premiums that are now attached with organics, buyers need to understand the marketplace more fully so they can make educated decisions.
Mind you, this is not a slight against agribusiness. We long for the day when Unilever and Kraft offer only organic products. Additionally, we are not suggesting that these agribusiness firms are no longer innovating – quite the contrary. Organics are one of the major agribuisness initiatives currently sweeping over the food marketplace and that is great for everyone. Still, a destinction needs to be made between market participants for whom organics is just another market segment versus companies that have fully embodied organic product lines from Day 1.
We have also chosen to include firms owned by venture capitalists and private investors as independent, even though most of these brands are likely being built to be sold to agribusiness interests at a later date for substantial profit.
Also note that this chart is designed for an American audience. International ones may follow if demand warrants.
If you have additional information to add to this chart, please contact Nutrition Wonderland at info@nutritionwonderland.com. Please include any necessary references.
Sources:
- PepsiCo to acquire Naked Juice (2007_01_01)
- Corporate Organic Beer Scene (2007)
- Cadbury’s aquires Green Blacks (2005_05_13)
- The History of Nestle (2006)
- ConAgra News Release – PAM organic (2006-05-08)
- The Organic Pages Online – Campbell’s (2009-02-19)
- Heinz to Purchase Additional Equity in Hain Celestial to Restore Investment Level to 19.5 Percent (2000-06-15)
- Lion Capital – Kettle Foods (2009-02-19)
- O Organics becomes not-so-private label (2009-09-18)
- Meyer Natural Angus to purchase natural beef business of Coleman Natural Foods (2004-08-08)
- Organic Industry Structure: Acquisitions by the Top 25 Food Processors in North America, Phil Howard, Michigan State University (2007-07)
- GOOD Magazine: Buying Organic (All You Can Eat) (2008-04)
- Black Eagle Farm Enters New Territory (2008-10)
- Coca-Cola acquires stake in Honest Tea (2008-02)
- Morningstar: Our Thoughts on Coke and Glaceau Deal ($4.2 billion) (2007-05-27)
- General Mills Acquires Humm Foods, Makers of LARABAR(R) (2008-06-10)
- Organic’s Sweet Partnership (Terra Nostra Chocolate) (2007-09)
- Tata Tea Buys Good Earth Tea (2006)
- ConAgra acquires vegeterian foods maker Lightlife Foods (2000-07-17)
- TIME Magazine: Curry in a Hurry (Tasty Bite/Preferred Brands Int’l)
- Sherbrooke Capital Announces Investment in FoodShouldTasteGood(TM). (2007-03-19)
- PepsiCo To Acquire Stacy’s Pita Chip Co. (2005-11-28)
- Cadbury and Ocean Spray in juice deal (2002-03-26)
- Lance, Diamond in bidding for Kettle (2010-02-03)
- Attune Foods Acquires Uncle Sam and Erewhon Cereal Brands from US Mills (2009.12.14)
Revisions
Version 1.4 (2010.02.07)
-50 companies added
-list vetted and updated for 2010
Version 1.3 (2009.08.14)
-25 additional companies added
Version 1.2 (2009.06.03)
-40 more companies added to the list
Version 1.1 (2009.03.13)
-50+ companies added to the database
-logo harvesting project started
-multimedia views of data begun
Version 1.01 (2009.03.11)
-organic brand and parent company column switch, better usability
-fixed dream products, now separated
-minor cosmetic changes
Version 1.0 of this chart was released on 2009-02-19. All revisions will be noted here.
Mimi Serrao Says:
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm | ID#
Thanks for the excellent overview of where our organics come from. Bob’s Red Mill makes the best whole grain cereals and other grain products, really top quality. And they are still independent, good to see. Tho we eat many of the other products also, owned by the big boys.
Great info as usual.
Arsento Says:
August 20th, 2009 at 1:13 pm | ID#
Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?
John Serrao Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am | ID#
Arsento-
We have updated this list 4 times and will continue to as new brands appear.
Peter Aqualung Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 8:20 am | ID#
Tanks, this is great, especially because the updates are listed and dated. The industry moves so fast (in the direction from the independent list to the “big boys” list), that list vintage is critical.
I assume that what is lost in the move from indy to conglo is the positive externalities of a morally upright business. Conglo just trades the good reputation of the target co. for profit.
This happened to Tom’s of Maine, which was built up as a quality ingredients brand and started using cheap alternatives that of questionable quality the moment they were acquired, hiding behind the usual “if its not prohibited by law, it must be good for you” excuse.
Gary Stephens Says:
August 30th, 2009 at 5:53 pm | ID#
This is exactly the kind of info that needs to be public. Labeling laws should include who owns the food maker. We just came from seeing the movie Food Inc., and now we are craving information. Thanks!
Mysty Says:
September 28th, 2009 at 1:37 pm | ID#
Wow – I’m kind of surprised that you have all these small companies on here, but didn’t include two of the biggest independent organic foods companies out there. Both are not just industry players, but industry pioneers. Lundberg Family Farms pioneered organic rice growing in the United States and is still family owned. And Amy’s Kitchen changed organic frozen foods as we know it and the company is still owned by Rachel and Andy Berliner. I also don’t see Spectrum Organics, who, sadly is owned by Hain Celestial.
John Serrao Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:18 am | ID#
Mysty,
If you can believe it, I have another 200-300 companies to add to this list. Its just time consuming to do this chart, so I add them when I get a burst of energy. Im sure I’ve marked those brands down for inclusion and will include them as time permits.
Meagann Parson Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 4:20 pm | ID#
I’m a student of cell and molecular biology in Nevada, aiming in the end to practice Orthomolecular Medicine, and help revolutionize America’s eating habits. I am SO GRATEFUL to find your site, and get such useful information.
This is really fantastic. I’ve always wondered about the parenting companies of the organic products I buy, but simply never find the time or energy to research it on my own.
Thank you writers and editors! For making our world a better, more informed place!
terry Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 12:55 pm | ID#
Hi! Thanks for posting this list! Very helpful. I hadn’t realized how many of my favorite brands are own by global corporations like Coca-Cola.
One entry which may need correcting is “Old Wessex” which, according to Plunkett’s Food Industry Almanac, is owned by United Natural Foods, Inc.
Tiffany Rice Says:
December 9th, 2009 at 1:18 pm | ID#
I have been looking for a list like this for a few days. Please continue to update it. This makes trips to the grocery store much easier! Again, Thank You for allowing me a real choice in my food purchases.
Nancy Anderson Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 5:49 pm | ID#
How can I post this on facebook to raise awareness of our food sources? Thanks
Meredith Says:
March 1st, 2010 at 12:40 pm | ID#
Thank you so much for this list. I am grateful to find it!