Mars Inc. Moves to Buy Food Manufacturer Preferred BrandsMars Inc. Moves to Buy Food Manufacturer Preferred Brands
August 14, 2017

Mars Incorporated’s food products business, Mars Food, announced plans Monday to acquire Stamford, CT-based Preferred Brands International, which produces and markets a line of Indian- and Asian-inspired ready-to-heat food products as the Tasty Bite brand.
“Tasty Bite’s broad range of dinner time products, focused on Indian and Asian cuisines, makes it a natural complement to our existing portfolio,” the president of Mars Food Global, Fiona Dawson, said in a statement. , adding the acquisition “will expand our all-natural vegetarian offerings in the U.S. and leverage Tasty Bite’s strong product development pipeline, flavor expertise, and strategic sourcing of quality ingredients” throughout Mars Food’s portfolio.
Primarily serving customers in North America, the Tasty Bite brand encompasses a number of Indian and Asian entrees, spice and simmer meal kits, and organic grains. Retailers in the UK and Australia also carry the products, and the brand is also sold to foodservice customers in India.
Preferred Brands produces its products at a Pune, India manufacturing site, exporting the majority of its output to the U.S.
“Mars is one of the largest food companies in the world and a recognized leader and role model for corporate sustainability. Mars Foods’ strong brand portfolio, global infrastructure, and shared values makes it well-positioned to take Tasty Bite to the next level,” said Ashok Vasudevan, chief executive officer of Tasty Bite, in a Mars press release.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Mars said it expects the deal to close by the fourth quarter of 2017.
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