Just ten companies control nearly everything we eat

Already an internet juggernaut, Amazon's move to purchase Whole Foods will instantly make it a significant player in the food system. Amazon already enjoys a dominant role in online commerce, and if the acquisition of Whole Foods is permitted to go through the company will join the ranks of a handful of corporations that control nearly everything we consume.

Whole Foods will continue to operate under its brand name and cofounder John Mackey will remain CEO. Mackey stated that this merger will allow the company to "maximize value for Whole Foods Market’s shareholders" while also "bringing the highest quality, experience, convenience and innovation to our customers."

Source: ArsTechnica

While it appears that Whole Foods shareholders will maximize their value many are fearful of what Amazon's presence in the industry signifies.

“private corporation already dominates every corner of online commerce, and uses its power to set terms and prices for many of the most important products Americans buy or sell to one another. Now Amazon is exploiting that advantage to take over physical retail.”

-Barry C. Lynn director of the Open Markets

'This is extreme consolidation of the food system in action, which will lead to higher prices, fewer choices for consumers, and bigger profits for billionaires like its owner, Jeff Bezos'.

-Wenonah Hauter of Food & Water Watch

[Amazon will] dominate food within the next two years... I'm taking down numbers for everybody who sells food. Everybody. Because you can't compete [with] Amazon. They will not let you compete."

-Jim Cramer host of CNBC's Mad Money

Source: Common Dreams

Top Ten Companies

• PepsiCo
• General Mills
• Kellogg’s
• Associated British Foods
• Mondēlez (formerly Kraft Foods)
• Mars
• Danone
• Unilever
• Coca-Cola
• Nestle

Oxfam - Behind the Brands

This map, produced by Oxfam, demonstrates the extensive power and influence just a few companies have over our food system. Of course, the map was produced purely by analysing the top-earning companies so it doesn't provide a complete picture.