Leslie Massey
MasterFoods is a brand of condiments and sauces manufactured by Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, a subsidiary of the US-owned Mars Inc. The brand was founded in 1945 by Henry Lewis, who began by importing specialty international foods and spices. MasterFoods was acquired by Mars in 1967, and while it is no longer Australian-owned, the products are made in Australia and tailored to the Australian market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current owner | Mars Inc. |
| Year acquired by Mars Inc. | 1967 |
| Country of owner | United States |
| Country of manufacture | Australia |
| Percentage of products developed, tested, and manufactured in Australia | 96% |
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What You'll Learn
MasterFoodsTM was founded in Australia in 1945 by Henry Lewis
During World War II, when importation was restricted, the company acted as a distributor for Australian and New Zealand brands. In the post-war period, the import business resumed, and the company's sales were boosted by demand from new immigrants for specialty foods. In the early 1950s, the Lewis family started manufacturing, and many new immigrants were setting up small factories, which Henry helped by selling their produce.
By 1965, MasterFoodsTM had become a well-loved Australian brand, and in 1967, it was acquired by Mars Inc., transitioning from the Lewis family to the Mars family. This marked the birth of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia. Mars Inc. continued to launch new products under the MasterFoodsTM brand, such as the Asian-inspired sauce range KANTONGTM and the Italian-inspired sauce range ALORATM (later renamed DOLMIOTM).
Today, MasterFoodsTM is the flagship brand of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, employing more than 330 people at its factory on the New South Wales Central Coast. While MasterFoodsTM is no longer Australian-owned, it remains an iconic Australian brand with a rich history spanning decades.
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In 1967, MasterFoodsTM was sold to Mars Inc
MasterFoodsTM was founded in Australia in 1926 by Henry Lewis, under the name "Henry Lewis & Company". The business was renamed "Henry Lewis & Sons" and later MasterFoodsTM on 20 July 1945. In the 1950s, the company began manufacturing its own products, including bread and butter cucumbers, Vegemite competitor Promite, and Roll Mops (pickled herring).
In 1967, the MasterFoodsTM brand was sold to Mars Inc., a US-owned family business. At the time, MasterFoodsTM had over 150 canned, bottled, and processed food products, including jams, sauces, pickles, chutneys, vegetables, meats, spreads, soups, syrups, spices, and mustards. The sale of the company to Mars Inc. resulted in the creation of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, which continued to produce well-loved MasterFoodsTM products while also introducing new offerings inspired by the diverse ingredients and flavours brought to Australia by immigrants.
Mars Food & Nutrition Australia has since launched popular products such as the Asian-inspired sauce range KANTONGTM and the Italian-inspired sauce range ALORATM (later renamed DOLMIOTM). The company has also introduced innovations such as tomato and barbecue sauce in squeezable bottles, a first for sauces in Australia.
Today, MasterFoodsTM is one of Australia's largest and most beloved food brands, known for its range of herbs and spices, recipe bases, table sauces, marinades, mustards, relishes, and finishing sauces. MasterFoodsTM products are developed, tested, and manufactured locally, with over 96% of its offerings tailored to the Australian palate. The brand is committed to creating better food today and a better world tomorrow, reflecting the vision that guided Henry Lewis when he first established the company.
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Mars Food & Nutrition Australia was born after the acquisition of MasterFoodsTM
MasterFoodsTM was founded in 1926 by Henry Lewis, who began by importing specialty international foods and spices. The business was renamed "Henry Lewis & Sons" and later MasterFoods on 20 July 1945. In the 1950s, the company began manufacturing its own products, including bread and butter cucumbers, Vegemite competitor Promite, and Roll Mops (pickled herring). By 1965, MasterFoods had become a well-loved Australian brand.
In 1967, the MasterFoods brand was acquired by Mars Inc., a US-based family-owned company. This acquisition led to the creation of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, which continued the legacy of MasterFoods by bringing exciting flavours to Australian kitchens. The Mars family shared a similar vision to Henry Lewis, aiming to offer diverse flavours while also recognising the importance of food in bringing people together and creating a better world.
Mars Food & Nutrition Australia built upon the existing range of MasterFoods products, launching new items that became household names in Australia. For instance, they introduced the Asian-inspired sauce range KANTONGTM in 1976 and the Italian-inspired sauce range ALORATM (later renamed DOLMIOTM) in 1989. They also innovated with new packaging, introducing tomato and barbecue sauce in squeezable bottles for the first time in Australia.
Mars Food & Nutrition Australia continues to manufacture products in the country, employing more than 330 people at its factory on the New South Wales Central Coast. The company strives to make everyday meals healthier, more affordable, easier, and tastier. It also recognises the social and economic significance of food, understanding that it is a means for families to bond and a way for farmers to earn a living.
While MasterFoods is no longer Australian-owned, it remains an iconic Australian brand, inspiring creativity in Aussie kitchens for over 60 years. The brand has a diverse range of herbs and spices, sauces, mustards, and other condiments tailored to the Australian palate. MasterFoodsTM Professional, a division of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, caters specifically to the needs of the Australian foodservice industry.
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MasterFoodsTM products are manufactured in Australia
MasterFoodsTM is a brand of condiments and food products manufactured by Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, a subsidiary of the US-owned Mars Inc. While MasterFoodsTM is no longer Australian-owned, the brand's products are manufactured in Australia, with a factory on the New South Wales Central Coast employing over 330 people.
The history of MasterFoodsTM dates back to 1926 when it was founded by Henry Lewis as "Henry Lewis & Company". The business was later renamed "Henry Lewis & Sons" and then MasterFoodsTM on 20 July 1945. In the 1950s, MasterFoodsTM began manufacturing its own products, including bread and butter cucumbers, mint jelly, sauerkraut, and hot English mustard. The brand became a household name in Australia, with products like its Asian-inspired sauce range, KANTONGTM, and Italian-inspired sauce range, ALORATM (later renamed DOLMIOTM).
Mars Inc. acquired MasterFoodsTM in 1967, marking the transition from the Lewis family to the Mars family. Despite the change in ownership, MasterFoodsTM continued to be a beloved Australian brand, known for its diverse range of food products. Today, MasterFoodsTM Professional, a division of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, manufactures and supplies a wide range of herbs, spices, sauces, mayonnaises, mustards, dressings, and other condiments to the Australian Foodservice industry.
MasterFoodsTM products are developed, tested, and manufactured locally, ensuring they are tailored to the tastes and preferences of Australian consumers. With over 96% of their products made in Australia, MasterFoodsTM has become one of the country's largest and most well-loved food brands, inspiring creativity in Aussie kitchens for more than 60 years. The brand's commitment to manufacturing in Australia not only reduces the distance between production and consumption but also aligns with its goal of serving communities responsibly.
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MasterFoodsTM is no longer Australian-owned
In 1967, the Lewis family sold the MasterFoodsTM brand to Mars Inc., a US-owned company. The sale resulted in the creation of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, which continued to produce MasterFoodsTM products. Despite the change in ownership, MasterFoodsTM remains an iconic Australian brand, with a rich history dating back to the post-World War II era when it helped bring new and exciting flavours to Australian tables.
Even after the acquisition by Mars Inc., MasterFoodsTM continued to play a significant role in shaping Australian cuisine. During the 1960s and 1970s, Australia experienced an influx of immigrants from South East Asia, bringing with them new ingredients and inspiring a more adventurous appetite for flavour. MasterFoodsTM responded to this evolving culinary landscape by launching innovative products that became household names, such as the Asian-inspired sauce range KANTONGTM and the Italian-inspired sauce range ALORATM (later renamed DOLMIOTM).
MasterFoodsTM also broke new ground in the Australian market by being the first to introduce tomato and barbecue sauce in squeezy bottles. This combination of tradition and innovation has solidified MasterFoodsTM's place in Australia's culinary history and culture.
Today, MasterFoodsTM is a flagship brand of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, with products developed, tested, and manufactured locally. While the brand is no longer Australian-owned, it continues to be a beloved and trusted name in the country, with a strong connection to Australian consumers and a commitment to creating better food for a better world.
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Frequently asked questions
No, MasterFoods is not Australian-owned. It was acquired by Mars Inc. in 1967, a US-owned company.
By 1965, MasterFoods had become a loved Australian brand. It was founded in Australia by Henry Lewis in 1945, and began manufacturing its own products in the 1950s.
Mars Food & Nutrition Australia aims to assist the Australian Foodservice professional in delivering the highest-quality meal to the demanding Australian consumer. They manufacture a diverse range of herbs, spices, sauces, mayonnaises, mustards, dressings, and other condiments.
