Despite the apparent variety of brands on supermarket shelves, much of the food and drink we consume every day is controlled by a small group of large multinationals. According to an analysis made some time ago by Business Insider, based on Oxfam data, ten companies dominate the food and drink market, owning hundreds of well-known brands worldwide.

Who are they? We'll tell you right now.

Here are the 10 multinationals that dominate the food industry: Nestlé, PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Unilever, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg's, Mars, Mondelez International, Associated British Foods (ABF)

• Nestlé

Headquartered in Switzerland, Nestlé is the world's largest food company with annual revenues exceeding $80 billion. Its extensive portfolio includes more than 2,000 brands, including: Nescafé and Nespresso in coffee, KitKat, Smarties and numerous other confectionery, Maggi for cooking products and preparations, S. Pellegrino, Perrier and over 50 bottled water brands, Gerber and other baby food, Purina and other pet products.

The company operates in 189 countries and employs about 339,000 people. According to the Oxfam report ‘Behind the Brands’, Nestlé has significant influence on global supply chains.

• PepsiCo

Founded in 1965 by the merger of Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay, PepsiCo has steadily expanded its reach through strategic acquisitions. Its portfolio includes, Beverages: Pepsi, Mountain Dew, 7UP (in some markets); Juices: Tropicana, Naked Juice; Sports Drinks: Gatorade; Savoury Snacks: Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Ruffles; Cereals and Foods: Quaker Oats.

With more than 290,000 employees and operations in about 200 countries, PepsiCo generates annual revenues of more than $70 billion.

• The Coca-Cola Company

Founded in 1886, Coca-Cola has become one of the best known companies in the world. Its portfolio includes, Carbonated drinks: Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite; Waters: Dasani, Smart Water; Juices: Minute Maid, Simply; Teas: Fuze Tea, Honest Tea; Energy and sports drinks: Powerade.

The company sells over 4,100 products in about 200 countries, reaching around 1.9 billion consumers every day according to company figures.

• Unilever

An Anglo-Dutch multinational founded in 1929, Unilever is known for its food and personal care products. In the food sector it controls, Tea: Lipton, PG Tips; Condiments: Hellmann's, Knorr; Ice creams: Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Algida/Wall's; Vegetarian foods: The Vegetarian Butcher; Spreads: Marmite, Bovril.

With about 149,000 employees and operations in about 190 countries, Unilever has an annual turnover of about EUR 50 billion.

• Danone

Founded in Spain in 1919 and now headquartered in France, Danone specialises in Fresh Dairy Products: Activia, Actimel, Danone; Mineral Waters: Evian, Volvic, Aqua; Vegetable Alternatives: Alpro, Silk: Yoghurt and Fermented Products: Oikos, Danio; Specialised infant and medical nutrition.

Danone employs over 100,000 people and markets its products in more than 120 countries, with a focus on nutrition and health.

• General Mills

Founded in 1866, General Mills is best known for its breakfast cereals and baked goods, but its portfolio has expanded considerably. Cereals: Cheerios, Chex, Lucky Charms;

Ice cream: Häagen-Dazs; Yoghurt: Yoplait (in partnership); Cake mixes: Betty Crocker, Pillsbury; Snacks: Nature Valley, Fiber One.

The company operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 35,000 people.

• Kellogg's

Founded by W.K. Kellogg in 1906, the company has become synonymous with breakfast cereals: Corn Flakes, Special K, Rice Krispies; but also controls savoury snacks: Pringles (acquired by P&G in 2012); Frozen foods: Eggo; Crackers and biscuits: Cheez-It, Carr's.

With operations in 180 countries and around 34,000 employees, Kellogg's remains a major player in the cereals and snacks sector.

• Mars

Founded in 1911, Mars is one of the largest family-owned food companies in the world. Its diversified portfolio includes Confectionery: M&M's, Snickers, Mars, Twix; Food: Uncle Ben's (now Ben's Original), Dolmio; Gum: Orbit, Extra, Skittles; Pet foods: Pedigree, Whiskas, Royal Canin.

With over 130,000 employees in 80 countries, Mars generates annual revenues estimated at over $35 billion.

• Mondelez International

Established in 2012 from the demerger of Kraft Foods, Mondelez specialised in snacks and sweets. Biscuits: Oreo, BelVita, LU; Chocolate: Milka, Cadbury, Toblerone; Gum and candy: Trident, Halls; Cheese: Philadelphia (in some markets).

The company operates in 160 countries with about 80,000 employees and annual sales of about $26 billion.

• Associated British Foods (ABF)

A British conglomerate founded in 1935, ABF has a diversified portfolio that includes: Beverages: Twinings, Ovaltine; Foods: Dorset Cereals, Jordans; Sugar: Silver Spoon; Baked goods: Kingsmill.

In addition to the food sector, ABF also owns the Primark clothing chain. The company employs over 130,000 people in 53 countries.

The implications

The concentration of power in the hands of a few companies has several significant implications:

• Influence on prices

Market concentration allows these companies to exert considerable control over food prices. According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), reduced competition contributes to higher costs for consumers. In some sectors, such as carbonated drinks or packaged snacks, profit margins can exceed 40 per cent.

• Health impact

The aggressive promotion of ultra-processed foods by these multinationals is a public health problem. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the link between the consumption of these products and an increase in obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A report published in the journal The Lancet estimated that unhealthy food marketing aimed at children contributes significantly to the global epidemic of childhood obesity.

• Sustainability and workers' rights

The intensive farming practices required to meet the demand of these companies have a considerable environmental impact. According to Oxfam's ‘Behind the Brands’ report:

1. Deforestation and biodiversity loss are directly linked to the supply chains of these multinationals;
2. Working conditions on plantations and in factories often fail to meet international standards;
3. The economic treatment of small farmers remains problematic, with many primary producers living in poverty.

Next time you go shopping, remember all this. As consumers, we have great power: every purchase is an opportunity to steer our food system towards a fairer future that respects not only people and workers along the supply chain, but also our Planet.

See, Da Nestlé a Coca-Cola: le 10 multinazionali che controllano (quasi) tutto ciò che mangiamo e beviamo