These 10 companies control everything you buy

Oxfam created a mind-boggling infographic that shows how interconnected consumer brands really are

Sunday 06 November 2016 09:06 EST

(Oxfam)

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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

Sales of Pepsi and other fizzy drinks brands have been in decline for over ten years (Getty)

2015 revenue: $63 billion

In addition to Pepsi and other sodas, PepsiCo also owns brands such as Quaker Oatmeal, Cheetos, and Tropicana.

Nestlé

Kit Kats have been at the centre of an acrimonious battle of wills between Nestle and Mondelez International (Reuters)

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.

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