MasterFoods
| Product type | Condiments |
|---|---|
| Owner | Mars Inc. (1967–present) |
| Country | Australia |
| Introduced | 1945 |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Previous owners | Henry Lewis |
| Website | masterfoods.com.au |
MasterFoods is a brand of condiments manufactured by Mars Inc.[1][2][3][4][5] Originally produced by Australian Henry Lewis & Company since 1945,[6] the brand name "Masterfoods" was acquired by Mars in 1967.[7]
History
MasterFoods was created by Henry Lewis in Australia in 1945. Originally launched as "Henry Lewis & Company" in 1926,[6] they began by importing specialty international foods and spices such as paprika, bay leaves and canned asparagus.[8] The business was renamed to "Henry Lewis & Sons"[6] and later Masterfoods (also seen as MASTERFOODS, MasterFoods and Master Foods)[6][9] on 20 July 1945 and began manufacturing their own products in the 1950s.[8]
Henry Lewis passed the business onto his sons John (born 1920), Victor (born 1923) and David (born 1929) all of whom worked in the business.[6] John as chairman and managing director, Victor as production director and David as research director.[10] Victor studied food technology in the United States of America, returning in 1949, becoming one of Australia's first food technologists.[6] The company began manufacturing foods in the 1950s, with the first product being bread and butter cucumbers. During WWII when importation was restricted the company acted as a distributor for Australian and New Zealand brands.[6]
The brand was sold to Mars Inc. in 1967, and Mars Food Australia was created as a part of the purchase.[1] At the time of sale, Masterfoods had over 150 products and were distributing to 40 countries, 25 percent of turnover was imported goods.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Since 1945 | Our Stories". MasterFoods.
- ^ "Masterfoods and My Muscle Chef partner in protein - Food & Drink Business". www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au.
- ^ "Over 4000 meals donated: Mariners X Masterfoods Meals for Goals". April 12, 2024.
- ^ "Mars continues Foodbank collaboration, supplies 3m+ meals - Food & Drink Business". www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au.
- ^ "Masterfoods celebrates silliness in new campaign from Clemenger BBDO Sydney - AdNews". www.adnews.com.au.
- ^ a b c d e f g Media, Ripefruit. "Masterfoods". www.onlysydney.com.au. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Masterfoods resurrects Mars corporate identity on Campaign Live by Joanna Bowery – June 06, 2006
- ^ a b "Masterfoods". Australian Fine Foods. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ a b O'Connell, Jan (1920-09-16). "Master Foods origins - Australian food history timeline". Australian Food Timeline. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "Vol. 88 No. 4523 (12 Nov 1966)". Trove. Retrieved 2025-05-15.