The more we know about who owns and controls our food, the more we can support trustworthy companies.
“Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world.” This famous quote by Henry Kissinger is ringing more and more true by the week.
When our children were young (1991-2005), these wonderful (often family-owned) health food companies were often my go-to because I trusted them and the ingredients. So their sell-outs came as quite a surprise. Healthy, environmentally-aware brands have seen huge sales growth in recent years, and big names like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, and General Mills all want a piece of the action.
These alternatives cost more but people were willing to pay, in large part because they saw these brands as being smaller, healthier, more responsible choices.
A lot of these “niche” companies are now owned by the very corporations many shoppers are trying to avoid.
As experts like Philip Howard at Michigan State University have stated, big companies tend to tinker with formulas to make them easier to mass-produce and cheaper.
Here are some natural and organic brands that have gone “mega-corporate” in recent years.
1. Cascadian Farm had reputably been around for so long, you couldn’t help but think it a trusted source of organic products, but it was actually bought out by General Mills in 1999. They quickly tripled the sugar content in their once “no added sugars” cereals.
2. Applegate Farms, the top distributor of organic meat in the U.S., was sold to Hormel (one of the most atrocious pro-GMO meat companies out there) in 2015.
3. Some of the oldest health food companies: Garden of Eatin’, Spectrum Organics, Earth’s Best, Arrowhead Mills, Health Valley, and Imagine/Rice Dream have fallen to the Hain Celestial/Heinz corporation.
Popular US Ketchup Brands (Heinz, Muir Glen, Hunts) Really From China w/ Hidden Additive
4. Burt’s Bees was once a fabulous independent, truly natural company – until the company was sold to Clorox.
5. Horizon (which used to be completely organic dairy) was swallowed up by WhiteWave and are now subject to complaints and investigations alleging they’re more of a factory farm type of operation than an “organic” company.
6. Annie’s (best known for their mac-n-cheese) was bought by General Mills in 2014. This company does not state whether the cheese comes from cows that were fed GMOs or recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), a synthetic (man-made) hormone that is marketed to dairy farmers to increase milk production in cows.
7. Bragg Live Foods, established in 1912, announced in 2019 the company was acquired by investment firm Dragoneer Investment Group and co-investors including Bill Gates and singer/songwriter Katy Perry. For the BEST vinegar for a very good price, check out Azure Standard.
8. Earthbound Farms, the largest supplier of organic produce in the U.S., was also purchased by WhiteWave back in 2013.
9. R.W. Knudson’s is another one of those companies who has been around forever, but what most don’t realize is the organic juice maker is owned by Smucker’s, who publicly supports the use of GMOs.
10. Dagoba Chocolate has a brand that looks like a free-spirit, independent company, but it’s actually owned by the chocolate giant Hershey’s. Hershey’s chocolate is known for it’s high sugar content, low cocoa content, and off vomit-like flavor.
11. Honest Tea & Odwalla Honestly, I could not believe either of these companies sold-out to Coca Cola.
12. Dave’s Killer Bread is the latest great company to sell out for a whopping $275 million dollars. Basically Dave Dahl handed over his baby to the pro-GMO food corporation Flowers Food (owners of Wonder Bread) so he could “sit back and relax”.
13. Morning Star, Kashi, and Bear Naked are all now owned by food giant Kellogg’s.
14. Boca and Back to Nature are both owned by Kraft.
15. Tom’s of Maine is actually under Colgate/Palmolive.
16. Stonyfield Organic Yogurt Yes – Stonyfield! They are owned by the Danone Group of France, makers of Dannon yogurt, Brown Cow yogurt, and Evian water.
17. Naked Juice has sadly been owned by Pepsi since 2006.
18. Erewhon, with its organic sounding name, is actually owned by Post Foods.
19. New Chapter, once a very popular maker of natural vitamin supplements, it was taken over by Proctor and Gamble. This is a real shock and a huge concern for the future of the brand’s quality control.
20. And sadly, the great Garden of Life company (vitamins, supplements, etc.) was sold to Nestle for $2.3 billion in Dec. of 2017.
Here is a list of organic and non-GMO companies who all sold out and when:
| BRAND | OWNED BY | DATE | |
| Aidells Sausage | Hillshire Brands | 2011 | |
| Alexia Foods | ConAgra | 2007 | |
| Alta Dena |
|
1999 | |
| Annie’s Naturals | General Mills | 2014 | |
| Applegate Farms | Hormel | 2015 | |
| Arrowhead Mills | Hain Celestial | 1998 | |
| Attune | Post Foods | 2013 | |
| Back To Nature | Heinz/Kraft | 2003 | |
| Barbara’s | Wheatabix Food Co. | 1986 | |
| Bearitos | Hain Celestial | 1997 | |
| Bear Naked | Kellogg | 2007 | |
| Ben & Jerrys Organic | Unilever | 2003 | |
| Boca Foods | Heinz/Kraft | 2000 | |
| Bolthouse Farms | Campbell Soup | 2012 | |
| Breadshop | Hain Celestial | 1999 | |
| Breyer’s Organic | Unilever | 2006 | |
| Brown Cow | Dannon | 2003 | |
| Campbell’s Organic | Campbell Soup | 2003 | |
| Casbah | Hain Celestial | 1999 | |
| Cascadian Farm | General Mills | 1999 | |
| Coleman Natural | Perdue Farms | 2011 | |
| Dagoba | Hershey Foods | 2006 | |
| Dave’s Killer Bread | Flower Foods | 2015 | |
| DeBole’s | Hain Celestial | 1998 | |
| DiGiorno Organic | Heinz/Kraft | 2006 | |
| Dole Organic | Dole | 2001 | |
| Dove Organic | M&M Mars | 2006 | |
| Draper Valley | Purdue Farms | 2007 | |
| Earthbound Farm | WhiteWave -Dean Foods | 2013 | |
| Earth’s Best | Hain Celestial | 1999 | |
| Ella’s Kitchen | Hain Celestial | 2013 | |
| Erewhon | Post Foods | 2013 | |
| Food Should Taste Good | General Mills | 2012 | |
| French Meadow | Rich Products Corp | 2007 | |
| Fruitti de Bosco | Walnut Acres | 2001 | |
| Garden of Eatin’ | Hain Celestial | 1998 | |
| Gerber Organic Baby Food | Nestle | 2007 | |
| Gold Medal Organic | General Mills | 2005 | |
| Golden Temple | Post/Hearthside | 2011 | |
| Green & Black’s | Cadbury Schweppes | 2005 | |
| Happy Baby Organic | Dannon | 2013 | |
| Happy Family | Dannon | 2013 | |
| Health Valley | Hain Celestial | 1999 | |
| Heinz Organic | Heinz/Kraft | 2002 | |
| Hershey Organic | Hershey Foods | 2007 | |
| Honest Tea | Coca Cola -40% stake | 2008 | |
| Horizon Organic | Dean | 2004 | |
| Humboldt Creamery | Foster Farms | 2009 | |
| Hunt’s Organic | ConAgra | 2005 | |
| Imagine | Hain Celestial | 2002 | |
| Kashi | Kellogg | 2000 | |
| Keebler Organic | Kellogg | 2006 | |
| Kellogg’s Organic | Kellogg | 2006 | |
| Kettle (chips, etc.) | Diamond Foods | 2010 | |
| Knudsen R.W. | J.M. Smucker | 1984 | |
| Kraft Organic | Heinz/Kraft | 2008 | |
| Larabar | General Mills | 2008 | |
| Late July | Snyders -minority stake | 2007 | |
| Lightlife | ConAgra | 2000 | |
| Maranatha | Hain Celestial | 2008 | |
| Millina’s Finest | Walnut Acres | 2001 | |
| Millstone | J.M. Smucker | 2008 | |
| Morningstar Farms | Kellogg | 1999 | |
| Mott’s Organic | Cadbury Schweppes | 2004 | |
| Mountain Sun | Hain Celest./Walnut Acres | 2001 | |
| Muir Glen | Cascadian Farm | 1998 | |
| Nabisco Organic | Kraft | 2007 | |
| Naked Juice | Pepsi | 2008 | |
| Nantucket Nectar Organic | Cadbury Schweppes | 2004 | |
| Natural Touch | Kellogg | 1999 | |
| Nature’s Farm | Tyson | 2001 | |
| Nile Spice | Hain Celestial | 1998 | |
| Odwalla | Coca Cola | 2001 | |
| Organic Cow of Vermont | Horizon | 1999 | |
| Orville Redenbacher’s Org | ConAgra | 2005 | |
| Pace Organic | Campbell’s | 2005 | |
| PAM Organic | ConAgra | 2006 | |
| Peace Cereal | Post/Hearthside | 2011 | |
| Peet’s Coffee/Tea | Sara Lee | 2011 | |
| Planters Organic | Kraft | 2007 | |
| Plum Organic Baby Food | Campbells | 2013 | |
| PowerBar | Nestle | 2006 | |
| Prego Organic | Campbell’s | 2005 | |
| Pria Grain Essentials | Nestle | 2006 | |
| Ragu Organic | Campbell’s | 2005 | |
| Rice Dream (Imagine) | Hain Celestial | 2002 | |
| Santa Cruz Organic | J.M. Smucker Co | 1989 | |
| Seeds of Change | M&M Mars | 1997 | |
| ShariAnn’s | Walnut Acres | 2001 | |
| Silk | White Wave Foods | 2013 | |
| Soy Dream (Imagine) | Hain Celestial | 2002 | |
| Spectrum Organics | Hain Celestial | 2005 | |
| Stone Mill | Anheuser-Busch | 2006 | |
| Stonyfield | Dannon/Danone | 2001 | |
| SunSpire | Hain Celestial | 2008 | |
| Swansons Organic | Campbell’s | 2005 | |
| Tostito’s Organic | Pepsi | 2003 | |
| Tropicana Organic | Pepsi | 2007 | |
| V8 Organic | Campbell’s | 2005 | |
| Van’s | Hillshire Farms | 2014 | |
| Walnut Acres | Hain Celestial | 2003 | |
| Westbrae | Hain Celestial | 1997 | |
| Westsoy | Hain Celestial | 1997 | |
| Wholesome & Hearty | Kellogg | 2007 | |
| Wholesome Sweeteners | Arlon Group | 2012 | |
| Wild Hop | Anheuser-Busch | 2006 | |
| Willamette Valley Granola | Post/Hearthside | 2011 | |
| Wolfgang Puck Soup | Campbell Soup | 2008 |
Proactive Steps To Lessen Our Dependence on These Companies
1. Start gardening. For anyone that has planned to start a garden (or put up food stores) but is still on the fence, please read The Solari Report’s “New Controlled Food System Is Now In Place And They Will Stop At Nothing To Accelerate Their Control.” I have numerous gardening posts to get you started here, here, here, here, and here, including how to build a strong trellis and 4×8′ raised beds.
2. Soon I hope to write about the mega corporations that own and control our favorite supplement brands. This is not a good development, so I urge you to learn more about how to make your own medicinals (tinctures), use safe antiviral and antibacterial herbs, and investigate homeopathy! Build your immune system so you don’t need them. My family and I regularly use a cellular detox called TRS. You can also read Avalyn’s Story to learn more.
There are still companies out there that are using safe and healthy ingredients, but it takes diligent label reading to discern that. Let’s support them when we find them. Please list ones in comments that you know to be family-owned and where we can find them.
Now For the Good News!
There are some companies who may still be holding strong.
I have NOT been able to vet each one. IF they have SOLD OUT, let me know in the comments so I can make a note like I did with Clif Bar. Thanks for understanding!
• Clif Bar – the company was privately held until 2022 when it was acquired by Mondelez International for $2.9 billion.
• Crofter’s Organic Fruit Spreads
• Farmer’s Market Organic Pumpkin and Squash Products
• Fiordifruuta Organic Fruit Spread
• Let’s Do Organic, Native Forest, Let’s Do Gluten Free, Road’s End Organics are still great! Acquired by family-owned Edward & Sons.
• Lundberg Family Farms / Wehah Farms
• Native Forest
• Nature Factor
• Nature’s Legacy / VitaSpelt / Purity Foods
• Nutburgers
• Nutiva
• Pure Bar
• Que Pasa
• Road’s End Organic
• Sambazon
• VitaSpelt
• Vivapura
• Yogi Tea
• Zulka
To all those quality companies principled and independent enough to continue on, thank you!
“I have relied on you all my life; you have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise you.“ ~Psalm 71:6
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Katherine
Now we need a list of good brands to buy from 😩!
Carol Ann
COPY THAT!!
Jacqueline
Hi, Carol Ann,
Check out the end of the post now for a list of possible companies I found that still may be standing strong. They need vetting, one by one.
I just don’t have the time, but it is a start!
Blessings,
Jacque
Sandy
I like Amy’s. Their canned soups are great.
Jacqueline
Sandy, good catch! We have loved Amy’s products for a long time! I haven’t checked then yet to see where they stand!
Thanks, ~J
Jacqueline
Katherine, I heard you and responded! I just added a list I found that needs vetting of the companies that still may be holding out, one by one.
I just don’t have the time, but it is a start!
Blessings,
Jacque
Gary McCollom
Downright frightening in many respects.
I use New Roots, Naturopathic Labs, its Canadian and distributed at nationalnutrition, Bio-Tech Pharmacal, for me the best Vitamin D, Natures Bounty and Now Foods.
Those are my main ones.
Jacqueline
Thank you, Gary. I have yet to check NOW foods… I use several supplements from NOW, as well. Look at Mercola’s supplements for ones not compromised.
Blessings, ~J
Laurie A
Goodness, what a sobering post. Do you suppose there is any protection in buying organic produce (in grocery stores)? Obviously, those wouldn’t be genetically manipulated, but if one doesn’t want to support (or eat) these companies at all, I’m not sure how you can know. Of the list, I only shop at Harris Teeter, which was bought out by Kroger. We do grow large gardens and fruit, but can’t grow everything we need. These are surely interesting times!
Bonnie
Yes! This is my question – just because a small company sold out to a large corporation, even one that supports GMO’s, wouldn’t they still be required, by law,(for whatever that’s still worth!) to follow organic standards if that is on the label? Sorry if this is an uninformed question!
Jacqueline
Hi, Bonnie, no that isn’t an uninformed question. No sincere question is a bad one.
And, yes, they would still be required, but as the false pandemic narrative exposed, oversight is lacking and greed is rampant. The CDC, FDA and NIH are all partially or totally corrupt.
Read this: https://deeprootsathome.com/fauci-legacy-sicker-nation/
Also, we saw it in the PCR testing! They were made for medical testing purposes, but were used for NO GOOD: https://deeprootsathome.com/nasal-swabs-ethylene-oxide-black-fibers-that-move/
Big corps with LITTLE to no oversight will take liberties if they can.
Whistleblowers are censored.
They just found this out (just one example): https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/lawsuit-heavy-metals-baby-food-autism-adhd/ And that involved a number of organic baby food companies owned by massive corporations:
Those companies are: Beech-Nut Nutrition Company; Gerber Products Company; Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Earth’s Best Organic); Nurture, Inc. (Happy Family Organics and Happy Baby); Plum, PMC (Plum Organics); Sprout Foods, Inc. (Sprout Organic Food); and Walmart – Parent’s Choice.
We are exhorted not to b e fearful, but to be wise.
Sending peace,
Jacqueline
Bonnie
Thank you for your response Jacqueline! Very clarifying answer to my question. Absolutely, I agree about not giving into fear, but wanting to be wise. A verse the Lord has put before our family as a reminder: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” Hosea 4:6 May we all be led of the Lord into His wisdom. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wary as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt 10:16
Thank you for creating a place I can use as a resource to stay informed.
Megan
Pure craziness! Really makes me want to keep buying from the “edges” of the grocery store as much as possible! 🙂
We like Siete brand for Mexican products . . . wonder if they have sold out?? Also, Azure Standard for lots of bulk goods. I really hope the company “One Degree” hasn’t been bought out, too – they are great for lentils and already sprouted oats! 🙂
Thanks for putting this together!!! Very helpful!!!
Sue Beer
A lot of these brands I don’t know about. Being an avid gardener, a lot of the foods on our table are from our freezer. Will keep this list in mind when shopping. So hard to get wholesome foods at a run-of-the-mill grocery store.
A. Bennett
So sad. Now I see why the box of Cascadian Farms Organic cereal I bought as a treat for the kids had a “Box Tops for Education” label on it-it’s really General Mills…
One company we like to use is “Better Way Health.” We really like their Vit D and also “Curcumin Extra Strength” supplements. They don’t make a lot of things, but seem to do well at what they offer. We found them through Chris Wark of Chris Beat Cancer.
Sunny
I’ve been looking for an alternative to Bragg’s vinegar since learning of the buyout by Katy Perry in addition to it be watered down from the old recipe. I see where Dr. Eric Berg is recommending Fairchild’s. It is not sold near me, but I will likely order from the website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg_xenOrKPg
Jacqueline
Sunny, thank you for this! I will look into Fairchild’s too!
Blessings,
Jacque
Ruth
Azure Standard’s vinegar is really good! I like it even better than Bragg’s, plus it’s less expensive.
Jacqueline
Yes, Azure Standard is a GREAT company!! I just added them to my “Still Good” list! Thanks for the reminder! I am now ordering through Azure about every other month!
Blessings,
Jacque
Debbie
Hi. I would like to suggest a couple of good companies. At least so far: Green Pastures, Life Extension, and Wellness Resources. Swanson’s Vitamins seem good, also, but more investigation is needed.
Jacqueline
Debbie, thank you for your list. Swanson’s has been bought out, and with Life Extension, some have additives, but they are all different. Not so hot on Green Pastures fermented CLO, but I realize this is an older article and things may be different now: https://deeprootsathome.com/fclo-fermented-cod-liver-oil/ I’d need to do a deep dive on it… ~Jacque