ALPRO, the EU market leader in soya-based foods and which is also a division of Vandemoortele N.V., Belgium’s largest privately-held food company, was acquired by Dairy Giants Dean Foods Company in June 2009.
Dean Foods is the largest processor and distributor of cow milk and other dairy products in the United States. They also own Silk Soy which is the leading brand of soymilk in the U.S.The acquisition of the European company ALPRO, which owns the brands Alpro and Provamel will make DEAN Foods the global leader in soy products.
Gregg Engles, chairman and chief executive of Dean Foods, said soymilk could be one of the fastest growing lines in the food and beverage industry: “This is one of the most strategic assets
we could have acquired. We see significant opportunities to leverage the collective strengths of both businesses across a global soy platform to accelerate growth.” Alpro CEO Bernard Deryckere welcomed the acquisition, stating that “We look forward to being part of Dean Foods, a strong organization that shares our passion for brands. With our successful European market strategy, compatible values and great staff, we can build a strong future as part of Dean Foods.”
Alpro now joins the list of the companies which were sold to companies thriving off animal exploitation. The list includes Tom of Maine bought by Colgate-Palmolive, the Body Shop now owned by vivisection giants L’Oreal and Original Source owned by PZ Cussons.
The irony is obvious. It is not just that they are now bought by corporations which are known for animal exploitation; it is also that their new parent companies specialise in the exact animal exploitation that the former were known to avoid.
It raises the question that if we do not support companies that are owned by major vivisection labs or companies like P&G then how is that any different than avoiding a company that is directly linked to raping, enslaving and murdering cows for dairy products?
For people who wish to avoid the Alpro/Provamel brands, there are companies like Plamil which can be found at www.plamilfoods.co.uk or at most health food stores.
Ref:
Press release: www.deanfoods.com
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