The 2024 elections in the U.S. has brought nutrition and the term ‘Big Food’ to the forefront of public discussion. But exactly what does the term ‘Big Food’ mean?
Big Food refers to the major multinational corporations that dominate the global food industry, controlling much of the world’s food production, processing, and distribution. These companies are known for their extensive reach, market power, and pivotal role in shaping global food systems. Here are some key aspects of Big Food:

  • Manufacturers are Corporate Giants: Large companies include Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Mars, Associated British Foods, and Mondelez. Nestlé lead as the world’s largest food manufacturer, with revenues exceeding $90 billion in 2020. PepsiCo follows closely, with over $70 billion in 2020, highlighting the scale at which these corporations operate.

  • Market Control: These corporations control a wide range of food brands, sometimes monopolizing entire food categories. For instance, just ten companies control over 50% of the global food and beverage market, showcasing their market dominance. This control spans from agricultural inputs like seeds and pesticides to the end consumer products, influencing the entire food supply chain.

  • Outsized Impact on Food Systems: These companies have a huge impact that has led to a shift from local to centralized, industrial food production. This has altered dietary patterns, pushing processed, high-margin foods that are often less nutritious. This shift is linked to increasing rates of obesity and malnutrition globally. In 2024, it’s estimated that 40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted, partly due to practices by Big Food companies that prioritize shelf-life and aesthetics over nutrition.

  • Advertising and Cultural Influence: Big Food companies significantly invest in advertising, spending billions annually to shape consumer tastes and preferences. For example, in 2023, the global food and beverage advertising expenditure was around $1.3 trillion, aiming to promote convenience over traditional, home-cooked meals.

  • Exertion of Economic and Political Influence: These corporations wield considerable lobbying power, impacting food policy and regulation. In the U.S., the food industry spent nearly $100 million on lobbying in 2023 alone, influencing everything from food safety laws to agricultural subsidies. This influence often prioritizes corporate profits over public health and environmental sustainability.

  • Growing Criticism and Concerns: The term “Big Food” is frequently used critically to point out monopolistic practices, the emphasis on profit over health, and the manipulation of consumer demand. Critics argue that these practices contribute to environmental degradation, public health crises, and the loss of cultural food diversity.

  • Big Food Likely to Grow: As the global food market continues to grow ‘Big Food’ is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth through their established infrastructure and economies of scale.

And it’s not just at the  manufacturing level. The USDA reports that concentration in the food retail market has grown significantly with county-level concentration rising 94% from 1990 to 2019. Currently, over 60% of grocery categories are now dominated by large brands like Walmart and Kroger. This shift is most pronounced in rural areas and small nonmetropolitan regions, where fewer retailers dominate the market.