These major brands own everything you eat and drink.
This article originally appeared on 06.26.17
Just when you think there's no end to the diversity of junk food lining supermarket aisles, an insanely detailed infographic comes along to set us all straight. Out of the hundreds of products at our disposal, only ten major corporations manufacture the bulk of what we toss in our shopping carts.
So whether you're looking to stock up on anything from orange soda to latte-flavored potato chips, Mondelez, Kraft, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Mars, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg's, and Unilever own just about everything you could hope to buy. It seems that six degrees of separation theory has been proven after all, if only because we all drink Diet co*ke every now and then.
In order to visually elucidate that point, Oxfam International created a comprehensive infographic that reveals the extensive reach of the “Big 10" food and beverage companies. Unlikely ties between brands we largely don't associate with one another show how easy it is to be misinformed about the American food system. For example, PepsiCo produces Quaker granola bars, and Nestlé makes Kit Kat bars but also frozen California Pizza Kitchen pies. To the surprise of many, Pineapple Fanta isn't sourced straight from the mythical Fanta Islands, but canned right alongside Barq's root beer at the Coca-Cola factory.
Obviously, the horrors extend far beyond our own shattered daydreams. Massive corporations squash entrepreneurial diversity and make it nearly impossible for startups and small businesses to compete. According to Oxfam's report, “The world's largest food and beverage companies have a lot of power – but you have more. And because they're not using theirs enough to help poor communities or the planet, you can use yours to change the way they do business."
If you're looking to avoid contributing to the Big 10 world takeover, try shopping at local farmers' markets and maybe skip out on soda and highly processed foods altogether. Your body will thank you for it in the long run anyway.
As an expert in the realm of corporate ownership and the intricacies of the food and beverage industry, my comprehensive understanding of the subject allows me to shed light on the interconnected web of major brands that dominate what we consume. The article you've referenced underscores a critical aspect of the global food market, highlighting the significant influence of a select few corporations on the products lining supermarket shelves.
The evidence supporting this claim is deeply rooted in the intricate network of brand ownership and production relationships. The article identifies a group of ten major corporations that wield immense control over the food and beverage landscape. These conglomerates, namely Mondelez, Kraft, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Mars, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg's, and Unilever, collectively manufacture a staggering majority of the items available for purchase in supermarkets.
To illustrate the extent of this dominance, Oxfam International created a detailed infographic, visually depicting the far-reaching influence of these "Big 10" companies. This infographic serves as a compelling piece of evidence, revealing unexpected connections between brands that may seem unrelated at first glance. For instance, the revelation that PepsiCo produces Quaker granola bars or that Nestlé is responsible for both Kit Kat bars and frozen California Pizza Kitchen pies underscores the complexity of brand ownership and production partnerships.
The article also emphasizes the broader implications of this corporate consolidation, pointing out how major corporations stifle entrepreneurial diversity and create formidable barriers for startups and small businesses. Oxfam's report, mentioned in the article, asserts that these giant corporations wield immense power, but individuals have the ability to influence change through their consumer choices. The call to action is clear: consumers can leverage their purchasing power to encourage these corporations to prioritize social and environmental responsibility.
In conclusion, the intricate web of corporate ownership in the food and beverage industry, as highlighted in the article, showcases the dominance of a select group of major corporations. The evidence presented, including the detailed infographic from Oxfam, reinforces the notion that a small number of entities have a profound impact on what ends up in our shopping carts, raising important questions about the consequences of such consolidation on entrepreneurial diversity and social responsibility.
