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General Mills sells Muir Glen tomato brand to private equity firm
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-27 11:00
Group 1 - General Mills sold its Muir Glen brand of organic tomatoes to Violet Foods, allowing the company to focus on its core products and faster-growing segments like snacks and pet food [8] - The divestiture follows General Mills' previous sale of its North American yogurt business, including Yoplait, for $2 billion last year, indicating a strategic shift towards core offerings [8] - Violet Foods aims to enhance its tomato product portfolio by integrating Muir Glen's organic offerings, positioning itself to better serve retail partners in the $5 billion-plus U.S. tomato sauces and canned tomato market [5][8] Group 2 - The current trend in the food industry shows a rapid pace of dealmaking, with companies like B&G Foods and Smithfield Foods also making significant acquisitions [6] - General Mills' decision to sell Muir Glen may be influenced by increased consumer cooking at home, which has led to higher demand for certain brands, allowing for a strategic sale while brand sales are accelerating [4] - Violet Foods has been actively expanding its tomato product presence by acquiring brands from larger consumer packaged goods companies, indicating a trend of consolidation in the industry [5][8]