Danone

File:Isaac carasso.jpg

Danone was founded by Isaac Carasso (born İzak Karasu), a Thessaloniki-born Sephardic Jewish physician from the Ottoman Empire, who began producing yogurt in Barcelona, Spain in 1919.{{cite web|title=Danone: History of Danone group|url=http://danone.ua/en/about-company/history/?no_cache=1|access-date=2020-11-24|website=danone.ua}} The brand was named Danone, which translates to "little Daniel", after his son Daniel Carasso.{{Cite news|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/how-dannon-built-a-yogurt-market-in-the-u-s/#/|title=How Dannon Made Yogurt Mainstream in America After Starting as a Staple for Immigrants|access-date=2017-11-29|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20171127/433237749941/danone-foco-innovacion.html|title=Danone pone el foco en la innovación|work=La Vanguardia|access-date=2017-11-29|language=Spanish}}

In 1929, Isaac Carasso moved the company from Spain to France, opening a plant in Paris.{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4868904/1967-detroit-fire-coverage/|title=50 Years Ago This Week: Detroit and 'The Fire This Time'|magazine=Time|access-date=2017-12-01}} In 1942, Daniel Carasso moved the company to New York.{{Cite news|url=http://brandchannel.com/2017/11/07/dannon-five-questions-michael-neuwirth/|title=The Scoop on Dannon: 5 Questions With DanoneWave's Michael Neuwirth|date=2017-11-07|work=brandchannel|access-date=2017-12-01|language=en-US|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025102516/https://www.brandchannel.com/2017/11/07/dannon-five-questions-michael-neuwirth/|url-status=dead}} In the United States, Daniel Carasso partnered with the Swiss-born Spaniard Juan Metzger and changed the brand name to Dannon to sound more American.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502299.html|title=Daniel Carasso, 103, Dies; Businessman Introduced America to Dannon Yogurt|journal=The Washington Post and Times-Herald|last=Langer|first=Emily|date=2009-05-26|access-date=2018-01-02|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}

In 1951, Daniel Carasso returned to Paris to manage the family's businesses in France and Spain, and the American business was sold to Beatrice Foods in 1959; it was repurchased by Danone in 1981.{{cite web | url=http://www.danone.com/en/for-you/journalists/basics/our-strategic-zones-of-development/puid/united-states/ | publisher=Danone Group | title=Dannon History in the United States | access-date=13 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403070441/http://www.danone.com/en/for-you/journalists/basics/our-strategic-zones-of-development/puid/united-states/ | archive-date=3 April 2015 | url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/business/21carasso.html|title=Daniel Carasso, a Pioneer of Yogurt, Dies at 103|last=Grimes|first=William|date=2009-05-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-02|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} In Europe in 1967, Danone merged with Gervais, the leading fresh cheese producer in France, and became Gervais Danone.

In 1973, the company merged with bottle maker Boussois-Souchon-Neuvesel (BSN), which was formed by the merger of Glaces de Boussois, France's 2nd-largest producer of flat glass, with Lyon-based Verreries Souchon-Neuvesel, France's top producer of bottles and jars. Souchon-Neuvesel, based in the Lyon region, produced bottles, industrial containers, flacons and table glassware (container glass). Glaces de Boussois, located in northern France, made windows for the building and automobile industries (plate glass). Three years earlier BSN had merged with Evian, Kronenbourg, Société Européenne de Brasseries and Blédina.

The company changed its name to Groupe Danone in 1983.

The acquisitions initially took the shape of vertical integration, with BSN acquiring Alsatian brewer Kronenbourg and Evian branded mineral water who were the glassmaker's largest customers. This move provided content with which to fill the factory's bottles.{{cite web|url=http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/jump/DanoneCorporateIntl.Company.History.1966_1980 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040910034427/http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/jump/DanoneCorporateIntl.Company.History.1966_1980 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2004 |publisher=Danone Group |title=History of Success: from bottles to beverages |access-date=11 April 2007 }} In 1973, the company merged with Gervais Danone and began to expand internationally, including a rebranding of the Dannon yogurt brand in the U.S. and a successful ad campaign In Soviet Georgia that started in October 1976.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/16/archives/advertising-dannon-visits-a-soviet-village.html |title=Dannon Visits a Soviet Village |author=Sloane, Leonard |date=16 August 1976 |accessdate=21 January 2024 |website=The New York Times |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423061624/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/16/archives/advertising-dannon-visits-a-soviet-village.html |archivedate=23 April 2018 }} In 1979, the company abandoned glassmaking by disposing of Verreries Boussois. In 1987, Gervais Danone acquired European biscuit manufacturer Générale Biscuit, owners of the LU brand, and, in 1989, it bought out the European biscuit operations of Nabisco,{{cite web |url=http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4h3CgHJgFiWvvqRqCLGpugijnCBoLQifW99X4_83FT9AP2C3NDQiHJHRQC2okxl/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzBfTjY! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515231017/http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/%21ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4h3CgHJgFiWvvqRqCLGpugijnCBoLQifW99X4_83FT9AP2C3NDQiHJHRQC2okxl/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzBfTjY%21 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 May 2006 |publisher=Danone Group |title=Setting out to conquer Europe |access-date=11 April 2007}} The operation included UK manufacturers Huntley and Palmers, Peek Frean, and Jacob's, which had previously merged to form Associated Biscuits Ltd.{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionsgateway.org.uk/collections/7/hp%20timeline.pdf|title=Biscuit Time: a brief history of Huntley and Palmers}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.huntleyandpalmers.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=query&p=huntley&f=generic_sitetext.htm&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXMAXHITS_=1&cms_con_core_subtype%3Acms_con_text_what=about_us&%3Acms_sys_group=%22huntley%22 |title=About H&P Collection |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831191246/http://www.huntleyandpalmers.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=query&p=huntley&f=generic_sitetext.htm&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXMAXHITS_=1&cms_con_core_subtype:cms_con_text_what=about_us&:cms_sys_group=%22huntley%22 |url-status=live }}

In 1994, BSN changed its name to Groupe Danone, adopting the name of the group's best-known international brand. Franck Riboud succeeded his father, Antoine, as the company's chairman and chief executive officer in 1996 when Riboud senior retired. Under Riboud junior, the company continued to pursue its focus on three product groups (dairy, beverages, and cereals) and divested itself of several activities which had become non-core including Amora, Liebig, and Maille brands.{{cite journal|date=1998-04-02|title=Paribas multiplie les rachats dans l'agroalimentaire|url=https://www.lsa-conso.fr/paribas-multiplie-les-rachats-dans-l-agroalimentaire,23990|access-date=2022-01-07|website=lsa-conso.fr|language=fr|last1=Conso |first1=L. S. A. }}{{cite journal|date=1998-09-24|title=Danone : la nouvelle garde rapprochée de Franck Riboud|url=https://www.lsa-conso.fr/danone-la-nouvelle-garde-rapprochee-de-franck-riboud,27034|access-date=2022-01-07|website=lsa-conso.fr|language=fr|last1=Conso |first1=L. S. A. }}

File:Danone Saclay.JPG of Paris-Saclay, France, photographed in 2014]]

In 1999 and 2003, the group sold 56% and 44% respectively of its glass-containers business.

In 2000, the group also sold most of its European beer activities (the brand Kronenbourg and the brand 1664 were sold to Scottish & Newcastle for £1.7 billion.{{Cite news | url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000321/ai_n14283654| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005012102/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000321/ai_n14283654| url-status=dead| archive-date=5 October 2007|work=The Independent |location=UK |title = Scottish & Newcastle acquires Kronenbourg in £1.7bn deal |access-date =12 April 2007}} Its Italian cheese and meat businesses (Egidio Galbani Spa) were sold in March 2002;{{cite web | url=http://www.realdeals.eu.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=38412 | title=European Buy-Outs: Italy's many privately owned businesses are welcoming private equity as a way to drive consolidation | publisher=Real Deals | date=26 January 2006 | access-date=12 April 2007 | archive-date=19 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419001246/https://realdeals.eu.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=38412 | url-status=dead }} as were its beer producing activities in China.

The company's British (Jacob's) and Irish biscuit operations were sold to United Biscuits in September 2004.{{Cite news |url=http://receitasdepapinhas.com/danone-sells-irish-biscuits-to-united-biscuits |work=The Independent |location=UK |date=24 July 2004 |title=Danone sells its UK biscuits to United |access-date=12 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808212616/http://receitasdepapinhas.com/danone-sells-irish-biscuits-to-united-biscuits/ |archive-date=8 August 2016}} In August 2005, the Group sold its sauces business in the United Kingdom and in the United States (HP Foods),{{Cite news|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EUY/is_30_11/ai_n14941048 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201102117/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EUY/is_30_11/ai_n14941048/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2009 |title=Heinz announced completion of its acquisition of the HP Foods Group from Groupe Danone S.A. for approximately $820 million in cash |work=Food & Drink Weekly |date=22 August 2005 |access-date=12 April 2007 }} in January 2006, its sauces business in Asia (Amoy Food) was sold to Ajinomoto.{{cite web |url=http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4h3CgHJgFiWvvqRqCLGpugijnCBoLQifW99X4_83FT9AP2C3NDQiHJHRQC2okxl/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzBfTjg! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515231030/http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/%21ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4h3CgHJgFiWvvqRqCLGpugijnCBoLQifW99X4_83FT9AP2C3NDQiHJHRQC2okxl/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzBfTjg%21 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 May 2006 |publisher=Danone Group |date=21 March 2000 |first=Lucy |last=Baker |title=Toward the third millennium |access-date=11 April 2007}} Despite these divestitures, Danone continues to expand internationally in its three core business units, emphasising health and well-being products.{{cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1048515/000119312507071783/d20f.htm |publisher=Danone Group|title = Annual Report on Form 20-F |access-date =11 April 2007}}

In July 2007, it was announced that Danone had reached agreement with Kraft Foods Inc (now Mondelēz International) to sell most of its biscuits division, including the LU and Prince brands but excluding Latin American (Bagley) and Indian (Britannia Industries) units, for around €5.3 billion.{{Cite news

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6264318.stm

|title=Danone mulls Kraft biscuit deal

|work=BBC News

|date=3 July 2007}}{{cite web |title=Kraft Foods compra Danone, sin Bagley |url=https://www.ambito.com/economia/kraft-foods-compra-danone-bagley-n3438945 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Ambito |language=es-ar}} Also in July 2007, a €12.3 billion cash offer by Danone for the Dutch baby food and clinical nutrition company Numico was agreed to by both boards,{{cite web

|url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/19676778

|title=Danone to Offer 12.3 Billion Euros for Numico

|website=CNBC

|access-date=9 July 2007

|date=9 July 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181722/http://www.cnbc.com/id/19676778 |archive-date = 30 September 2007}} creating the world's second-largest manufacturer of baby food.

In 2009, the company changed its name from Groupe Danone to Danone.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurexchange.com/exchange-en/resources/circulars/groupe-danone--name-change/243908|title=Eurex Exchange - Groupe Danone: Name Change|website=Eurexchange.com|access-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814232719/https://www.eurexchange.com/exchange-en/resources/circulars/groupe-danone--name-change/243908|archive-date=14 August 2018|url-status=dead}}

In 2007 Danone spent 12.3 billion euros on the purchase of the baby and medical nutrition business of Dutch rival Numico.

In 2010 Danone plunged into the Russian market by acquiring OAO Unimilk's companies.{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-06-18/danone-merges-russian-dairy-unit-with-unimilk-to-triple-sales-in-region|publisher=Bloomberg|title = Danone Merges Russian Dairy Business With Unimilk|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=18 June 2010|access-date =18 June 2010}} The share of Unimilk was 21% of the Russian market. Danone was to hold 57.5 percent of the capital; it funded the acquisition by writing put options for Unimilk share owners. In 2009 Unimilk sales revenue was 969 million euros. As of the merger, Unimilk had 28 facilities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus,{{cite news |title=Danone secures Russia expansion with Unimilk deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65H27A/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |work=Reuters}} and Kazakhstan. The united Danone-Unimilk company had 18,000 employees in the Commonwealth of Independent States.{{cite news |url=https://www.dairyindustries.com/news/600/danone-and-unimilk-join-forces-in-russia/ |title=Danone and Unimilk join forces in Russia }}

The Wockhardt group's nutrition activities in India were acquired by Danone in 2012.{{cite news | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/dealjournalindia/2012/07/26/wockhardt-closes-deal-to-sell-nutrition-business-to-danone/|work=The Wall Street Journal|title = Wockhardt Closes Deal to Sell Nutrition Business to Danone|access-date =26 June 2012}}

In mid-February 2013 Danone announced their intention to cut 900 jobs or about 3.3 percent of their 27,000 person European workforce.{{cite web |url=http://prod-euronews.euronews.net/2013/02/19/danone-cuts-european-jobs-on-weak-demand/ |title=Danone cuts European jobs on weak demand |website=Prod-euronews.wuronews.net |date=19 February 2013 |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-date=22 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522225040/http://prod-euronews.euronews.net/2013/02/19/danone-cuts-european-jobs-on-weak-demand// |url-status=dead }}

Since 2013, Danone has grown on the African continent, notably with the acquisition of a controlling interest in Centrale Danone in Morocco and equity interests in Fan Milk in West Africa and Brookside in Kenya.

In 2014, Emmanuel Faber became CEO.{{cite web|url=https://www.danone.com/content/dam/danone-corp/about-us-impact/publications/en/2018/Danone-RA2017-EN-PDF-e-accessible_03.pdf|title=Danone Annual Report 2017|website=Danone.com|access-date=22 October 2018}}

File:World locations of Danone Group factories.svg

Danone was present in 130 markets and generated sales of US$25.7 billion in 2016, with more than half in developing countries. In 2015, fresh dairy products represented 50% of the group's total sales, baby food 22%, branded water 21%, and medical nutrition 7%.{{cite web|url =http://www.danone.com/uploads/tx_bidanonepublications/Danone_FY_2015_Results_UK_02.pdf|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160315225618/http://www.danone.com/uploads/tx_bidanonepublications/Danone_FY_2015_Results_UK_02.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date =2016-03-15|title =Press release – February 23, 2016}} In 2017, Franck Riboud became honorary chairman and Faber became chairman as well as retaining his CEO position.

In 2018, Danone rebranded its DanoneWave subsidiary, formed after the 2017 acquisition of WhiteWave Foods (Alpro), into Danone North America.

In 2020, Danone announced that It would cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of a reorganization. This amounted to about 2% of its workforce.{{Cite news|title=Danone to cut up to 2,000 jobs in reorganisation|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/danone-to-cut-up-to-2-000-jobs-in-reorganisation-1.4416725|access-date=2020-11-23|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}

In late 2020, the entry of the London-based hedge fund Bluebell Capital as a shareholder of Danone put Faber’s position into question. In a letter sent to all shareholders in November 2020, they qualified Danone's stock market performance under Faber of overall "disappointing", arguing that "the right balance between shareholder value creation and sustainability issues" had not been struck under his tenure.{{cite news|author=Leila Abboud|title= Activist fund Bluebell Capital takes aim at Danone|work=The Financial Times|url= https://www.ft.com/content/2df158fb-357a-499a-b51c-025b4f1d5c97 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/2df158fb-357a-499a-b51c-025b4f1d5c97 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|date=18 January 2021|access-date=30 May 2021}} After the publication of only slightly comforting 2020 results and disappointing first trimester turnover figures, Bluebell Capital's activism paid off and Faber was ousted in mid-March 2021.{{cite news|author=Leila Abboud|title= Danone board ousts Emmanuel Faber as chief and chairman|work=The Financial Times|url= https://www.ft.com/content/8e7ae718-eb18-4d2f-bd18-59e6349540f2 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/8e7ae718-eb18-4d2f-bd18-59e6349540f2 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|date=15 March 2021|access-date=30 May 2021}}

On May 16, 2021, the arrival of Antoine Bernard de Saint-Affrique as the next CEO of Danone was announced, to be effective on September 15.{{cite news|author= Dominique Vidalon|title= Danone names Barry Callebaut's Saint-Affrique as new CEO|work=Reuters|url= https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/danone-names-barry-callebauts-saint-affrique-new-ceo-2021-05-17/|date=17 May 2021|access-date=30 May 2021}}

In 2023, Danone Manifesto Ventures, the venture-capital arm of Danone invests in Israel cell-based dairy and infant-milk producer Wilk.

In July 2023 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine had put multinational businesses in a delicate position, Russia seized control of Danone Rossiye, putting it under "temporary management" of the state.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66218999 |title=Russia seizes control of Danone and Carlsberg operations |date=17 July 2023 }} In February 2024 it was rumoured that Ramzan Kadyrov or his nephew Yakub Zakriev would take over the unit,{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6c1c5fe0-5a98-4d67-acfb-caf482e109cf |title=Danone plans to sell Russian operations to Chechnya-linked businessman }} for under $200 million. On 13 March Vladimir Putin decreed the removal of the temporary management order;{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6c1c5fe0-5a98-4d67-acfb-caf482e109cf |title=Danone plans to sell Russian operations to Chechnya-linked businessman }}{{cite news |title=Putin removes Danone's Russian unit from temporary state management |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/putin-excludes-danones-assets-russia-list-placed-under-temporary-management-2024-03-13/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |work=Reuters}} this opened the way for a sale of the unit.{{cite news |title=Putin Halts Danone Russia Seizure, Clearing Way for Sale |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-13/putin-halts-seizure-of-russian-business-of-france-s-danone |access-date=2024-03-20 |work=Bloomberg}}

Danone's head office has been located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris since 2002."[http://www.danone.com/en/tools/contacts.html Contacts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103112556/http://www.danone.com/en/tools/contacts.html |date=3 November 2013 }}." Groupe Danone. Retrieved 23 March 2010."[http://www.journaldunet.com/economie/reportage/les-sieges-sociaux-des-entreprises-du-cac-40/danone-regrouper-les-salaries-dans-un-meme-batiment.shtml Danone : regrouper les salariés dans un même bâtiment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813220049/http://www.journaldunet.com/economie/reportage/les-sieges-sociaux-des-entreprises-du-cac-40/danone-regrouper-les-salaries-dans-un-meme-batiment.shtml |date=13 August 2011 }}." Le Journal du Net. Retrieved 26 July 2010.

Danone is led by a CEO and chairman as well as a board of directors.{{Cite press release|url=http://danone-danonecom-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/user_upload/Investisseurs/Communique_de_presse/2014/ANG/02092014_Change_in_Danones_Governance.PDF|title=Change in Danone's Governance|date=2 September 2014|access-date=10 January 2018}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} As of 26 April 2018 the 16 members of the Board of Directors are:{{cite web|url=https://www.danone.com/investor-relations/governance/board-of-directors.html|title=Danone's board of directors - Danone|date=25 May 2018|website=Danone.com|access-date=22 October 2018}}

• Antoine de Saint-Affrique – CEO{{cite web|url=https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2021/05/18/Danone-names-new-CEO-Antoine-de-Saint-Affrique-is-a-standout-leader-in-the-consumer-goods-world|title=Danone names new CEO: 'Antoine de Saint-Affrique is a standout leader in the consumer goods world'|date=18 May 2021 }}
• Franck Riboud – Honorary Chairman{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/danone-clears-way-new-ceo-with-board-overhaul-2021-07-29/ |access-date=24 January 2022 |title=Danone clears way for new CEO with board overhaul |website=Reuters | date=July 29, 2021 | author=Dominique Vidalon }}
• Guido Barilla
• Frédéric Boutebba
• Cécile Cabanis
• Gregg L. Engles
• Clara Gaymard
• Michel Landel
• Gaëlle Olivier
• Benoît Potier
• Isabelle Seillier
• Jean-Michel Severino
• Virginia A. Stallings
• Bettina Theissig
• Serpil Timuray
• Lionel Zinsou-Derlin

As of 2021 the members of the executive committee are as follows:{{cite web|url=https://www.danone.com/investor-relations/governance/executive-committee.html|title = Danone's executive committee - Danone|date = 7 November 2019}}

{{div-col|colwidth=18em|content=

• Antoine de Saint-Affrique (CEO)
• Juergen Esser (Chief Financial, Technology and Data Officer)
• Laurent Sacchi (General Secretary)
• Bertrand Austruy(Chief Human Resources Officer)
• Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta (Chief Executive Officer International)
• Vikram Agarwal (Chief Operating Officer end-to-end design to delivery)
• Shane Grant (Chief Executive Officer North America)
• Nigyar Makhmudova (Chief Growth Officer)
• Henri Bruxelles (Chief Sustainability and Strategic Business Development Officer)
• Floris Wesseling (President Europe)}}

Ownership of Danone is split as follows: 43% is owned by American investors, 19% by French investors, followed by the UK (10%), Switzerland (6%), Germany (5%) and the rest of Europe (17%).{{cite web |date=7 November 2019 |title=Danone's ownership - Danone |url=https://www.danone.com/investor-relations/danone-at-a-glance/ownership.html}}

File:Danone dairy logo.svg

Danone's brand portfolio includes both international brands and local brands. In 2018, Danone's international brands include: Activia, Actimel, Alpro, Oikos, Aptamil, Danette (Danet in some regions), Danimals, Danio, Dannon, Danonino, Evian, Nutricia, Volvic. Local or regional brands include: AQUA (Indonesia), Blédina (France), Bonafont (Mexico and Brazil), Cow & Gate (UK), Happy Family (USA), Horizon Organic (USA), Mizone (China and Indonesia), Prostokvashino (Russia), Silk (USA) and Damavand (Iran).

In some areas, Danone has adopted a strategy of growth through joint ventures, particularly in fast-growing emerging markets which represent over 50% of its sales.James T. Areddy & Deborah Ball, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118184992493235680?mod=googlenews_wsj Danone's China Strategy Is Set Back] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622205641/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118184992493235680?mod=googlenews_wsj |date=22 June 2020 }}, The Wall Street Journal, Page A10, 15 June 2007

Danone signed joint ventures with Al Safi in Saudi Arabia (2001),http://www.alsafi-danone.com.sa/History.html {{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Yakult in India (2005) and Vietnam (2006), Alquería in Colombia (2007), and Mengniu in China (2013–2014).

Danone Murray Goulburn is a joint Saputo Dairy Australia venture with French food company Danone – to market yoghurt and other fresh dairy products in Australia. Danone-MG dairy foods are produced at Kiewa in north east Victoria and are sold throughout Australia.

In November 2005, Franck Riboud met Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank and later winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. The two men discussed at length their ideas on the development of poor countries and found that their areas of expertise were complementary.{{cite news |date=5 March 2012 |title=RICHARD BRANSON: Profit is not all that matters|url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/articles/2012/03/05/richard-branson-profit-is-not-all-that-matters|newspaper=Business Day|location=South Africa}} As a result, in 2006, the Grameen Bank and Danone formed a company called Grameen Danone Foods, a social business in Bangladesh.{{cite news |last=Ahmad |first=Reaz |date=13 March 2006 |title=Grameen teams up with Groupe Danone to set up food plant |url=http://thedailystar.net/2006/03/13/d60313011410.htm |newspaper=The Daily Star}}

Grameen Danone Foods Ltd. produces a yoghurt called Shokti Doi containing protein, vitamins, iron, calcium, zinc, and other micronutrients aimed to fill nutritional deficits of children in Bangladesh. Shokti Doi is sold for six euro cents, a price that studies found to be affordable for the poorest families. Its pursuit of profitability is based solely on criteria such as improving public health, creating jobs, reducing poverty and protecting the environment.{{Advert inline|date=February 2022}} Profits earned by the company are re-invested in expanding and running the business.

Danone started its nutrition business in India in 2012 through the acquisition of the nutrition portfolio from Wockhardt Group.{{cite news |date=26 July 2012 |title=Danone completes acquisition of Wockhardt Group's nutrition business|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/danone-completes-acquisition-of-wockhardt-groups-nutrition-business/articleshow/15164816.cms|newspaper=The Economic Times}} Danone India offers a range of specialized products across life stages that includes pregnancy, infants, young children as well as adults, under Indian and global brands like Aptamil, Neocate, Farex, Protinex, Dexolac and Nusobee. Headquartered in Mumbai.{{cite web |url=https://www.danone.in/ |title=Home |website=danone.in}}{{better source needed|date=January 2021}} In 2018, Danone reduced its product portfolio and discontinued some dairy SKUs to bring a sharper focus on its nutrition offerings.{{cite news |date=11 January 2018 |title=Danone India to rationalise its product portfolio|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/danone-india-to-rationalise-its-product-portfolio/article10027069.ece|newspaper=Business Line}}

In March 1996 Danone signed an agreement to purchase 20 percent of the Strauss Group, Israel's second largest food manufacturer. Since the 1970s, Strauss Dairies had a series of partnership and knowledge agreements with Danone.

In 2001, Al-Safi and Danone formed a partnership.{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2017 |title=World first for Al Safi Danone |url=https://www.tetrapak.com/en-us/insights/cases-articles/al-safi-danone |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Tetra Pak}}

Danone has invested in China since 1987 with the joint venture with Fengxing Milk in Guangzhou. It is one of Danone's top 5 markets.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

In 2001, Danone acquired a 5% stake in Bright Dairy and, in March 2005, doubled its shareholding,[http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/04/eng20050304_175531.html Danone to double Bright Dairy stake] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227141245/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/04/eng20050304_175531.html |date=27 December 2007 }}, People's Daily, 4 March 2005 and again, to 20%, in April 2006, becoming the third largest shareholder after Shanghai Milk Group and S.I. Food.

The parties announced in October 2007 that Danone would divest its stake by selling it to the other two main shareholders at a small profit. Bright Dairy said Danone would pay 330m yuan (€31m) to terminate the existing distribution and production agreement with it.Neil Merrett, [http://www.dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=80638-danone-dairy-bright-wahaha Danone sells Chinese dairy stake] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227165244/http://www.dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=80638-danone-dairy-bright-wahaha |date=27 December 2007 }}, ''Dairy Reporter, 17 October 2007

{{Main|Wahaha Joint Venture Company}}

The Hangzhou Wahaha Group, the largest beverage producer in China,{{Cite news |work=South China Morning Post |location=Hong Kong |title = Danone set to sue Wahaha over breach of contract |date = 11 April 2007 |page = B3}} and Danone entered into a dairy products joint venture in 1996, in which Danone held 51%. It was hailed by Forbes magazine as a "showcase" joint venture.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/06/27/ap3861182.html |author=Elaine Kurtenbach |title=Wahaha-Danone Feud Highlights Pitfalls |work=Forbes |date=27 June 2007 |access-date=17 July 2007 }}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Yet in 2005, Danone noted that alongside the 39 structures of the joint venture, 60 factories and distribution companies produce and sell beverages illegally under the Wahaha brand. Danone made several attempts to take a stake in the Wahaha companies external to the joint venture, but was rebuffed by Wahaha's General Manager Zong Qinghou.{{Cite news |work=South China Morning Post |location=Hong Kong |title = Danone and Wahaha vie for the last laugh |date = 11 June 2007 |page = B3}} Danone and Zong Qinghou had signed a deal in December 2006 allowing Danone to buy a majority stake in these non-JV operations. However, Zong had second thoughts about the deal and reneged, claiming the offer was underpriced and held out for a higher price from Danone.签约与悔约(regrets) [http://www.caijing.com.cn/industry/other/2007-05-13/19400.shtml Wahaha – atypical commercial dispute] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308211340/http://www.caijing.com.cn/industry/other/2007-05-13/19400.shtml |date=8 March 2008 }}, Caijing Issue 185, 14 May 2007 {{in lang|zh}}

The dispute took on the shape of a trademark dispute, and Danone filed for arbitration in Stockholm on 9 May 2007.Xinhua, [http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/business/userobject1ai2914641.html Wahaha says its arbitration application accepted over trademark dispute with Danone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227214916/http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/business/userobject1ai2914641.html |date=27 December 2007 }}, 18 June 2007 On 4 June,{{Cite press release|url=http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/jump/DanoneCorporateIntl.Press.Commun2004PressReleases?ref=CMS.DanoneCorporateIntl.Press.2006PressReleases.Trimestre1.CP_120607 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210545/http://www.danone.com/wps/portal/jump/DanoneCorporateIntl.Press.Commun2004PressReleases?ref=CMS.DanoneCorporateIntl.Press.2006PressReleases.Trimestre1.CP_120607 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2007 |publisher=Danone Group |title=current developments regarding Wahaha dispute |date=12 June 2007 |access-date=21 June 2007 }} Danone filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Ever Maple Trading and Hangzhou Hongsheng Beverage Co Ltd, companies controlled by Zong, his wife, and daughter.[http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/business/20070618-danone-wahaha-china-france-food-companies.html Danone, Wahaha set for arbitration dispute in China] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621215709/http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/business/20070618-danone-wahaha-china-france-food-companies.html |date=21 June 2007 }}, Agence France-Presse story, France 24, 18 June 2007

In 2009, an agreement was reached between the two parties. Danone left the Danone–Wahaha joint venture and sold its shares (51%) to its former Chinese partner.

On 20 May 2013, Danone announced a strategic investment (4.0%) in Mengniu, the top dairy products company in China, through an agreement with COFCO (the state-owned largest food company in China a majority shareholder in Mengniu). Later on, Danone raised its interest in Mengniu from 4.0% to 9.9%. In 2016, Danone is Mengniu's second shareholder.{{cite news |date=20 May 2013 |title=Danone hopes to crack China with new dairy deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/chinamengniu-danone-idUSL3N0E104420130520 |work=Reuters}}

In addition, in May 2013, a joint-venture was created between Danone and Mengniu to grow the fresh dairy product category.{{cite news |date=11 February 2014 |title=Danone to double stake in China Mengniu to 9.9 pct for $665 mln|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/mengniu-danone-idUSL3N0LH0WU20140212|work=Reuters}}

On 31 October 2014, Danone, Mengniu and Yashili announced that they had signed an agreement allowing Danone to take part in a private placement by Yashili totalling €437 million, at a price of HK$3.70 per share. Upon completion of the subscription, Mengniu and Danone respectively held 51.0% and 25.0% equity interest in Yashili.{{cite news |date=24 July 2015 |title=Danone swaps Dumex China unit for deeper ties with domestic dairy giant|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/yashili-danone-idUSL3N1041DQ20150724|work=Reuters}}

On 18 June 2010, Danone partnered with Unimilk, one of Russia's main milk producers. Danone and Unimilk merged their fresh dairy products activities in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus. The joint-venture gave birth to the number one dairy products company in this region. Russia became one of the five most important markets for Danone.{{cite news |date=18 June 2010 |title=Danone secures Russia expansion with Unimilk deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-danone-unimilk-idUSTRE65H27A20100618|work=Reuters}}

In October 2022, Danone announced the start of the process of transferring its Russian segment to new owners. By this point, Russia provided about 5% of the company's total revenue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.danone.com/content/dam/danone-corp/danone-com/investors/en-all-publications/2022/pressreleases/danone141022pr.pdf|title=Danone announces it plans to transfer the effective control of its EDP business in Russia|date=2022-10-14|website=danone.com}} The company considered about two dozen possible applicants for its assets, but as of July 2023, the "successor" has not been decided. In the meantime, Danone rebranded one of its top brands: Activia in the Russian market becoming Aktibio. The company said that this will allow renewed investment in the Russian dairy industry.{{Cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20230710/aktivia-1883294176.html|title=Торговая марка "Активиа" сменит название в России|language=ru|date=2023-07-10|website=RIA Novosti}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.danone.ru/fileadmin/user_upload/DanoneRussia/NEWs/2023/press-reliz-aktibio-10-07-2023.pdf|title=Актибио (press release)|language=ru|date=2023-07-10|website=Danone.ru|access-date=10 July 2023|archive-date=10 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710125808/https://www.danone.ru/fileadmin/user_upload/DanoneRussia/NEWs/2023/press-reliz-aktibio-10-07-2023.pdf|url-status=dead}} In July 2023, the Russian government seized the shares in Danone Russia and placed it under the control of the Russian Federal Agency for State Property Management.{{cite news |title=Russia seizes control of Danone and Carlsberg operations |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66218999 |date=17 July 2023}} On July 18, Ibragim Zakriev, the Minister of Agriculture of Chechnya and the nephew of its President Ramzan Kadyrov, was appointed General Director of the Russian Danone.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/business/18/07/2023/64b6d69b9a79470efe619633|title=Гендиректором «дочки» Danone в России стал глава минсельхоза Чечни|language=ru|date=2023-07-18|website=Rbc.ru}} As of 26 July 2023 Danone has provided €700 million for the loss of Russian business, plus €500 million exchange loss due to the fall in the ruble.{{cite web |title=Danone Writes Down Russia Assets, Beats On Like-For-Like Sales |url=https://www.checkout.ie/a-brands/danone-writes-down-russia-assets-beats-on-like-for-like-sales-203920 |date=26 July 2023}}

In June 2012, Danone raised its interest in Centrale Laitière (leader of the dairy products market in Morocco) to 67.0%. Centrale Laitière is Danone's first franchise ever: the companies have worked together since 1953.{{cite news |date=27 June 2012 |title=Danone to take control of Centrale Laitiere |newspaper=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/eaf73470-c084-11e1-982d-00144feabdc0, |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/eaf73470-c084-11e1-982d-00144feabdc0, |archive-date=10 December 2022}}

In October 2013, Danone teamed up with Abraaj Group to acquire FanMilk International, the leading manufacturer and distributor of frozen dairy products and juices in Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Benin and Ivory Coast.{{cite news |date=24 October 2013 |title=Danone to join Abraaj Group in Fan Milk International acquisition |url=http://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/western-africa/2013/10/24/danone-to-join-abraaj-group-in-fan-milk-international-acquisition/ |publisher=CNBC |access-date=17 June 2016 |archive-date=17 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817225648/http://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/western-africa/2013/10/24/danone-to-join-abraaj-group-in-fan-milk-international-acquisition/ |url-status=dead }}

In July 2014, Danone announced the acquisition of a 40% interest in Kenya's Brookside, East Africa's leading dairy products group.{{cite news |date=18 July 2014|title=Danone buys Kenyan dairy firm stake to add African markets|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/danone-brookside-idUKL6N0PT12N20140718 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808221239/http://uk.reuters.com/article/danone-brookside-idUKL6N0PT12N20140718 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 August 2016 |work=Reuters}}

In October 2014, Danone partnered with Universal Robina to build a beverage production and distribution business in the Philippines.{{cite web|url=https://business.inquirer.net/180765/urc-danone-sign-joint-venture-to-manufacture-beverages-in-ph|title=URC, Danone sign joint venture to manufacture beverages in PH|website=inquirer.net|last=Dumlao|first=Doris C.|date=October 23, 2014|access-date=January 14, 2023}}

The Danone Institute is a nonprofit organization established to promote research, information and education about nutrition, diet and public health. One of the organization's main objectives was to increase nutrition knowledge amongst medical professionals, educators and parents.{{cite journal|url=http://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Fulltext/2008/07000/The_Dannon_Institute__Celebrating_10_Years_of.9.aspx|title=The Dannon Institute: Celebrating 10 Years of Nutrition Education|journal=Nutrition Today|year=2008|volume=43|issue=4|pages=166–172|doi=10.1097/01.NT.0000303340.75605.a5|last1=Binney|first1=Gayle|s2cid=70512410 }}

The company set up its first Institute in 1991 in Paris, France, and officially launched as a private nonprofit organization in 1997.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursocialmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/4-danone-institutes.pdf|title=The Danone International Prize for Nutrition and the Danone Institutes:one of Danone's commitment to health|website=Danone International Prize for Nutrition|year=2009|access-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924062557/http://www.oursocialmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/4-danone-institutes.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

The institute is led by nutrition experts and Danone company executives.

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By 2007, Danone had set up 18 institutes in countries around the world to develop programs that address local public health issues. The institutes are located in Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Spain, the United States, and Turkey.{{cite journal|title=The Danone Institutes|year=2006|journal=Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition|volume=43|pages=S72–S73|doi=10.1097/01.mpg.0000255853.15153.c0|pmid=17204982|doi-access=free}}

They operate under the aegis of the Danone Institute International. The Danone Institute International is responsible for steering the network, and encouraging a continual exchange between the various countries.

Today,{{When|date=January 2018}} more than 200 experts in diet and nutrition are involved in this international network.

Each institute is composed of a board of directors and a scientific council. Each board includes 8 members. The board members are responsible for setting the strategic direction and budget for the organization. The scientific council that is composed of from 6 to 10 members, takes future programmatic decisions.

The institutes develop educational programs in their countries to deal with local health and nutrition issues. Each institute therefore develops its own program in order to be relevant in their environment. For instance, the Czech Danone Institute provides a fund to support research, development and education in nutrition, and scholarships abroad.{{cite web|url=http://czech-universities.com/clanek/1250-danone-institute-grants-stupendia|title=Danone Institute grants Studpendia|website=Czech universities|year=2005|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209015541/http://czech-universities.com/clanek/1250-danone-institute-grants-stupendia|archive-date=9 February 2016|url-status=dead}}

Each local Danone Institute develops specific programs including:

• Support research programs: scholarships, grants, awards, prizes
• Publications of research findings relating to health and nutrition
• Organization of scientific conferences
• Publication of newsletters and books for professionals (e.g., health care professionals, educators, journalists)
• Organization of workshops, training and educational sessions for professionals
• Production of pedagogic material, booklets, television and radio programs, PC games for parents, children...
• Spread the knowledge to the public

Throughout the world, the Danone Institutes continue to be nonprofit organizations.

The Danone Institutes gather internationally renowned scientists in diet and nutrition from independent organizations (e.g.: universities, research centers).

From 1991 to 2006, more than 40 prizes and awards have been attributed for more than €600,000. Over 140 events have gathered more than 30,000 health care professionals. And 75 publications have been published. More than 70 programs towards the public have been organized.

To date,{{when|date=January 2021}} Danone Institutes have funded more than 900 research projects. This represents a global budget of €16 million. They have set up dozens of educational programs. 100 symposia have been launched.

The Danone Institute International was established in 2004 to gather together the 18 Danone Institutes. Its goal is to develop large-scale international programs. It also aims at encouraging the sharing of the knowledge between the local institutes. It facilitates cooperation, collaboration and exchange between scientists.

Danone Institute International is a nonprofit organization{{cite web|url=http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/gokhan-hotamisligil-receives-danone-international-prize-for-nutrition/|title=Gökhan S. Hotamisligil receives 9th Danone International Prize for Nutrition|website=Harvard School of public health|year=2014}} originally established with funding from Danone. The association promotes the exchange of information related to the relationship between diet, nutrition and health.{{cite web|url=http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2005/09-25-ohsu-professor-david-bar.cfm|title=OHSU Professor David Barker Awarded International Prize For Nutrition|website=Oregon Health and Science University|year=2005}}

The Danone Institute International comprises more than 220 scientific experts, and may be considered as a think tank. This international network gathers renowned scientists from various fields such as clinical nutrition, pediatric medicine, microbiology, gastroenterology, and psychology.

The Danone Institute International produces publications, supports research via grants, programs and a prize. The DII also organizes international academic conferences and symposia.

The Danone International Prize For Nutrition is a cornerstone in the work of the Danone Institute International.

The Danone International Prize for Nutrition is an award established in 1997 by the Danone Institute International, presented every two years to honour individuals or teams that have advanced the science of human nutrition.

The prize aims at encouraging nutrition research and promoting the public's understanding of the importance of this field.

This award is one of the most respected awards within the field of nutritional research.{{cite press release|url=http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/15931-Danone-International-Prize-for-Nutrition-Awarded-to-U-S-Scientist-for-Groundbreaking-Research-on-the-Impacts-of-Genetics-and-Biology-on-Obesity|title=Danone International Prize for Nutrition Awarded to U.S. Scientist for Groundbreaking Research on the Impacts of Genetics and Biology on Obesity|website=CSR News|year=2007}} Many leading scientists received this award, that recognizes their accomplishments.

The Danone International Prize for Nutrition is worth €120,000. The prize is awarded every two years by the Danone Institute International and organized with the support of the French organization Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale.

The Danone International Prize for Nutrition recognizes a single researcher or a research team as leading a major step in nutrition, developing novel concepts, including research fields with potential application for populations.{{cite web|url=http://www.iispv.cat/media/upload/pdf//dipn2016rules_editora_25_10_1.pdf|title=Danone International Prize for Nutrition 2016|website=Danone International Prize for Nutrition|year=2015}}

The jury consists of up to nine members, including one member of the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale. 50% of the jury members come from the Danone Institute International or the Danone Institutes. The jury selects one winner by a secret vote. In case of a tie, the chair's vote counts as two votes.

Danone Institute International selected in 2007 Friedman through a process involving more than 650 applicants worldwide. Candidates must be employed by a not-for-profit institution and actively involved in research. Laureates are chosen after an independent and international selection procedure.

This prize has been renamed the Danone International Prize for Alimentation in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.danoneinstitute.org/nutrition-science-support/dipa|title=Danone International Prize for Alimentation|publisher=Danone Institute|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-08}}

Prize winners:

Source: [http://www.danoneinstitute.org/nutrition-science-support/danone-international-prize-nutrition Danone International]

• 2016 Philip Calder, for his outstanding work on nutrition and immunity.
• 2013 Gökhan S. Hotamisligil, Harvard School of Public Health, for his outstanding research in immunology and metabolic diseases.{{cite web|url = http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/gokhan-hotamisligil-receives-danone-international-prize-for-nutrition/|title= Gökhan S. Hotamisligil receives 9th Danone International Prize for Nutrition|date= 29 April 2014|publisher= Harvard School of Public Health|access-date = 11 December 2014}}
• 2011 Jeffery I. Gordon, Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, for his outstanding contribution to scientific research on the human gut microbiome, diet and nutritional status.{{cite web|url=http://www.danone-institute.or.jp/researchsupport/192-international-2.html|title=The Danone International Prize for Nutrition|publisher=Danone Institute|access-date=11 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213002117/http://www.danone-institute.or.jp/researchsupport/192-international-2.html|archive-date=13 December 2014}}
• 2009 Johan Auwerx, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, for his research in molecular nutrition.{{cite web| url = http://oursocialmedia.com/france/nutrition-france/7th-danone-international-prize-for-nutrition-an-important-discovery-rewarded-2/| title = 7th Danone International Prize for Nutrition – An important discovery rewarded| publisher = Social Media Release| access-date = 11 December 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141213001758/http://oursocialmedia.com/france/nutrition-france/7th-danone-international-prize-for-nutrition-an-important-discovery-rewarded-2/ |date=October 6, 2009 | archive-date = 13 December 2014| url-status=dead}}
• 2007 Jeffrey M. Friedman, Rockefeller University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute; for research on the role of genetics and leptin, a hormone he discovered, in body-weight regulation.{{cite web|url=http://newswire.rockefeller.edu/?page=engine&id=641|title=Obesity researcher awarded Danone nutrition prize |publisher=The Rockefeller University |website= Newswire |date=July 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930185311/http://newswire.rockefeller.edu/?page=engine&id=641 |archive-date=Sep 30, 2011 |access-date=22 October 2018}}
• 2005 David J. P. Barker, epidemiologist at the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Division Research Centre of Southampton University, UK and at the Heart Research Centre, Oregon Health and Science University, US, for the Barker Early Origins Hypothesis, also known as the fetal origins hypothesis or the thrifty phenotype hypothesis.
• 2003 Ricardo Bressani, for his life-time commitment to maximise the understanding of the nutritional potential and limitations of local basic foods
• 2001 Alfred Sommer and team from the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, for his work on Vitamin A deficiency
• 1999 Leif Hallberg, for his work on iron metabolism
• 1997 Vernon R. Young, for his work on protein and amino acids metabolism{{Cite web |title=MIT Researcher Named Recipient of First Danone International Prize for Nutrition |url=https://www.newswise.com/articles/mit-researcher-named-recipient-of-first-danone-international-prize-for-nutrition |access-date=16 June 2023 |date=19 Nov 1997 |first1=Porter |last1=Novelli |website=Newswise}}

In 2012, the Danone Institute International in collaboration with the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) organized an international working group to examine the health effects of yogurt. They communicated their scientific conclusion to health care professionals and the public.{{cite web|url=http://scientificsessions.nutrition.org/satellitesessions/asn-sponsored-satellite-program-3rd-global-summit-on-the-health-effects-of-yogurt-yogurt-consumption-and-weight-management/ |title=ASN Sponsored Satellite Program: 3rd Global Summit on the Health Effects of Yogurt: Yogurt Consumption and Weight Management |website=American Society for Nutrition |year=2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908072804/http://scientificsessions.nutrition.org/satellitesessions/asn-sponsored-satellite-program-3rd-global-summit-on-the-health-effects-of-yogurt-yogurt-consumption-and-weight-management/ |archive-date=8 September 2015 }} One year later, the ASN and the Danone Institute International joined forces to launch the first global summit on the health effects of yogurt.

This event aims at evaluating the state of science as concerns yogurt consumption and public health.{{cite news|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-society-for-nutrition-and-the-danone-institute-international-collaborate-to-examine-health-effects-of-yogurt-204081441.html|title=The American Society for Nutrition and the Danone Institute International Collaborate to Examine Health Effects of Yogurt|agency=PR Newswire|year=2013}}

The first summit took place in 2013 in Boston. It featured international experts in medicine and nutrition. Since that time, summits have been held every year.

In 2013, the Danone Institute International, the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and the Nutrition Society (NS) launched the Yogurt in Nutrition Initiative for a balanced diet. This program aims at examining the health effects of yogurt, encouraging research around yogurt as part of a healthy diet and communicating scientific information toward health care professionals and the public.{{cite web|url=http://www.dairyreporter.com/R-D/Danone-Institute-teams-up-with-nutrition-bodies-to-examine-health-effects-of-yogurt|title=Danone Institute teams up with nutrition bodies to examine health effects of yogurt|website=Dairy Reporter|year=2013}}

Through this project, the Danone Institute International plans to organize worldwide conferences to share researchers' findings. From 2013, the Yogurt in Nutrition Initiative for a balanced diet co-organizes every year Global Summit on the Health Effects of Yogurt.{{cite web|url=http://nutritionreviews.oxfordjournals.org/content/73/suppl_1/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019000411/http://nutritionreviews.oxfordjournals.org/content/73/suppl_1/1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-10-19|title=Introduction to the Second Global Summit on the Health Effects of Yogurt|website=Oxford university press|year=2015}}

The Danone Institute International in collaboration with the American Society for Nutrition and the International Osteoporosis Foundation also organizes the Yogurt in Nutrition Award. This prize is offered by the Yogurt in Nutrition Initiative for a balanced diet. This award, valued at US$30,000, supports projects focused on the role of yogurt in the prevention and management of diseases. It finances research programs for two years. It recognizes individuals or research teams from public organizations, universities or hospitals.{{cite web|url=http://www.iofbonehealth.org/what-we-do/research/grants-and-awards/yoghurt-nutrition-award|title=Yoghurt nutrition award|publisher=International Osteoporosis Foundation|year=2015|access-date=7 September 2015|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019000411/http://www.iofbonehealth.org/what-we-do/research/grants-and-awards/yoghurt-nutrition-award|url-status=dead}}

Danone operates several funds including: danone.communities, created in 2007 to finance social business,{{cite news |date=17 June 2016 |title=Addressing malnutrition and access to safe drinking water through social business incubator |url=http://www.danone.com/en/for-all/sustainability/unique-business-approach/danonecommunities/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701163012/http://www.danone.com/en/for-all/sustainability/unique-business-approach/danonecommunities/ |archive-date=1 July 2016 |access-date=17 June 2016 |website=Danone.com}} the Danone Ecosystem Fund, created in 2009 to provide support to Danone partners including farmers, subcontractors, and vendors,{{cite news |date=30 May 2012 |title=Danone: funding social change around the world |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/best-practice-exchange/danone-funding-social-change-world |newspaper=The Guardian}} and Livelihoods, created in 2011 in order to finance environment-related projects (such as peasant agriculture, deforestation, access to energy in emerging countries) and in return provide investors with carbon credits with strong social intensity.{{cite news |date=11 July 2011 |title=Businesses come together to address carbon capture and storage |url=http://www.farmingfirst.org/2011/07/businesses-come-together-to-address-carbon-capture-and-storage/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801103223/https://farmingfirst.org/2011/07/businesses-come-together-to-address-carbon-capture-and-storage/ |archive-date=1 August 2020 |access-date=17 June 2016 |newspaper=Farmingfirst.org}}

Danone's corporate social responsibility programs were influenced by former CEO, Antoine Riboud, and a speech he gave on 25 October 1972 known as the "Marseilles speech".{{cite news |date=6 May 2002 |title=Death of Danone founder Antoine Riboud |url=http://www.foodnavigator.com/Market-Trends/Death-of-Danone-founder-Antoine-Riboud |newspaper=Food Navigator}}{{cite news |date=16 November 2012 |title=The 1972 speech: a milestone of Danone's history turns 40 |url=http://downtoearth.danone.com/2012/11/16/the-1972-speech-a-milestone-of-danones-history-turns-40/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602182917/http://downtoearth.danone.com/2012/11/16/the-1972-speech-a-milestone-of-danones-history-turns-40/ |archive-date=2 June 2016 |access-date=17 June 2016 |newspaper=Down to Earth Danone}}

In this speech, he stated that growth should not take place without corporate social responsibility. He was the first CEO to publicly state that human and environment aspects of a company should be taken into account. These ideas laid the ground to Danone's dual project (economic and social).

Due to its narrow focus and relatively small size, Danone is potentially an attractive takeover target for its competitors, namely Nestlé and Kraft Foods. In mid-July 2005, the share price of Danone rose 20% within two weeks on rumours of a bid approach by PepsiCo, although this intention was denied.{{cite news |url=http://www.boursorama.com/infos/actualites/detail_actu_marches.phtml?news=2820131 |agency=Associated Press|title=PepsiCo ne lance pas d'OPA sur Danone |date=25 July 2005 |access-date=11 April 2007|language=fr}} Upon realising that a takeover of a national treasure such as Danone by a foreign company was indeed possible in the capital markets, the "economically patriotic"{{cite news |url=http://www.boursorama.com/infos/actualites/detail_actu_marches.phtml?news=2955010 |publisher=Boursorama|agency=Associated Press|title=La France veut mieux protéger ses entreprises face aux OPA |date=27 March 2007 |access-date=11 April 2007|language=fr}} French government stepped in by drafting a law to protect companies in "strategic industries" such as Danone{{cite news |url=http://www.boursorama.com/infos/actualites/detail_actu_marches.phtml?news=2907164 |publisher=Boursorama|agency=Associated Press|title=Le gouvernement interdira le rachat de groupes français dans les secteurs stratégiques |date=29 August 2005 |access-date=11 April 2007|language=fr}} from takeover. This has been dubbed the "Danone Law".David Rothnie, [http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2007-06-28/us-companies-may-bid-for-danone-division US companies may bid for Danone division], Financial News, 28 June 2007

Speculation was renewed once again in mid-2006, when PepsiCo declared its intention to grow significantly in France through a sizeable non-hostile acquisition,{{cite web |url=http://www.boursorama.com/infos/actualites/detail_actu_societes.phtml?news=3568486 |work=AOF|publisher=Boursorama|title=Pepsico travaille sur des projets de croissance externe en France |date=21 July 2006 |access-date=11 April 2007|language=fr}} and Kraft was also reported in Le Figaro, a French daily newspaper, as not having ruled out an acquisition on French soil.{{cite news |url=http://www.boursorama.com/infos/actualites/detail_actu_societes.phtml?news=3515970 |agency=Associated Press|title=Danone: Reprise des spéculations un an après les rumeurs PepsiCo |date=23 June 2006 |access-date=11 April 2007|language=fr}} The stock market apparently marked down the possibility of a bid by PepsiCo following Danone's acquisition of Numico.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/07/09/numico-shares-update-markets-equity-cx_ll_0709markets25.html|title=Eschewing Snacks, Danone Goes for Baby Food|work=Forbes|access-date=9 July 2007|date=9 July 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110022806/http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/07/09/numico-shares-update-markets-equity-cx_ll_0709markets25.html|archive-date=2007-11-10}}

In the 2010s, reports indicated that Danone engaged in unethical marketing of infant formula in China, Indonesia, Turkey, and India.

In the early 2010s, Nutricia India (Danone) purchased Wockhardt, which thereby provided Danone with an entry to India's infant nutrition market. Nutricia later ordered and scheduled an external audit of payments made and invoices received from March through August 2013 and found no payments to doctors. However, critics contended the company directed the course of the audit, and more importantly, scheduled the audit so that it did not cover the crucial handover period. In fact, it was scheduled nearly a year after the purchase. A policy director for Baby Milk Action stated that Nutricia "seems to be using the audit as a cover".[https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2014/04/29/Danone-trying-to-whitewash-Nutricia-India-marketing-practices-BMA Danone Group 'trying to whitewash' Nutricia India marketing practices: BMA (Baby Milk Action)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928045624/https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2014/04/29/Danone-trying-to-whitewash-Nutricia-India-marketing-practices-BMA |date=28 September 2020 }}, Dairy Reporter, Mark Astley, 29 April 2014. Danone's "Green Book" includes the company's ethics and code of conduct, such as disallowing payments to doctors for recommending formula. More fully, it is entitled Danone Policy for the Marketing of Foods for Infants and Young Children.

India passed a law pertaining to Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) in 1992 and strengthened this law in 2003. These prohibit any kind of advertisement of infant formula for children 0–2, as well as prohibit monetary benefits to doctors for recommending formula. Still, major companies including Danone have been criticized for sponsoring such things as nutritional conferences and web platforms for doctors. (Other companies include Nestle, Abbott, and Mead Johnson.)[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/despite-ban-marketing-of-breast-milk-substitutes-continues/articleshow/64200270.cms Despite ban, marketing of breast-milk substitutes continues] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022064008/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/despite-ban-marketing-of-breast-milk-substitutes-continues/articleshow/64200270.cms |date=22 October 2020 }}, The Times of India, Rupali Mukherjee, 17 May 2018.

A Danone spokesperson said that Docplexus is an online platform for doctors only, no consumers have access to this information, and thus it is not a violation of India's 2003 IMS Act.

Dexolac is the name of Danone's infant milk substitute product. Overall in India, approximately 50% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed, and 50% are not.

In October 2012, a Save the Children survey was conducted in the cities of Hohhot, Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Shenzhen. Sixty mothers of infants 0–6 months were interviewed in each city. 40% of the mothers interviewed said they had received formula samples. Of these, 60% were provided by company representatives, and over one-third by healthcare workers. The mothers reported that samples were provided by (in order of frequency): Dumex (Danone, and since May 2016 Yashili), Enfamil (Mead Johnson), Wyeth, Abbott, Nestlé, Friso, Ausnutria and Bei-yin-mei.[http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/Superfood_for_Babies_UK_version.pdf SUPERFOOD FOR BABIES: How overcoming barriers to breastfeeding will save children's lives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924095255/http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/Superfood_for_Babies_UK_version.pdf |date=24 September 2015 }}, Save the Children (UK version), 2013, Ch. 6 "breast-milk substitute companies facing conflict of interest," page 35 (47 in PDF), footnote 31 describing the survey includes " . . Within each city, 60 mothers of infants aged 0–6 months were interviewed (through randomised selection within the waiting areas) in one MCH Hospital, one level-3 comprehensive (the highest level in China) hospital MCH Division, one level-2 comprehensive hospital MCH Division – ie, 20 mothers with babies 0–6 months old from each facility were interviewed." The overall 2013 Save the Children report which includes this 2012 survey states, "If new mothers are given free samples to feed to their babies it can start a vicious circle that undermines their own ability to breastfeed. An infant satiated with formula may demand less breast milk, so the mother produces less, and that can result in her losing confidence in her ability to breastfeed."

In February 2013 The Guardian reported that up until 2011, Danone subsidiary Sari Husada had midwives sign contracts to receive financial payments for selling a certain number of boxes of baby formula. According to Danone, this no longer happens, and has been replaced by a scheme which runs training for midwives. However, the main difference appears to be a change from cash to merchandise such as televisions or laptops, and often including items which are needed in the midwives' practices, such as oxygen canisters, TENS machines, and nebulisers. The Guardian has seen a spreadsheet detailing the number of new mothers contacted, the amount of 0–6 months formula sold, and the proportion of their target this represents. Danone commented: "That may still be happening, that's something we need to address."[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/15/babies-health-formula-indonesia-breastfeeding Baby health crisis in Indonesia as formula companies push products] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502150942/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/15/babies-health-formula-indonesia-breastfeeding |date=2 May 2016 }}, The Guardian, 15 February 2013

This same article reported that Sari Husada (Danone) had links throughout the Indonesian medical system. For example, Sari Husada sponsored professional associations, paid doctors for running seminars for midwives, and even sponsored midwifery awards which were then presented by the Indonesian Minister for Women's Empowerment and the Protection of Children.

There are two potential harms to promoting infant formula in poorer communities: (1) the parents and families may not have dependable access to clean water, and (2) the ongoing cost is such a significant part of the family budget that parents are highly motivated to attempt to "stretch" the product, with risk of malnourishment to infant or child. An Indonesian paediatrician stated, "Selling formula is like the killing fields, in my opinion. The babies will die of diarrhoea and they will die of malnutrition."

In June 2013 the organisation was accused in Turkey of "misleading mothers with a marketing campaign that warned they might not be providing enough breast milk to their babies [and suggesting] mothers use its powdered baby milk to make up any shortfall". Danone responded that it "based its advice on WHO guidance" and claimed that both the WHO and UNICEF "endorsed the campaign." The WHO said Danone did not have permission to use its logo and asked Danone to remove its name from the company's marketing materials within 14 days while Ayman Abulaban, the UNICEF representative for Turkey, said: "The Unicef Turkey office has not endorsed this campaign." UNICEF also requested that their name be removed from marketing materials.{{Cite news|title=Exclusive: After Nestlé, now Aptamil manufacturer Danone is hit by breast milk scandal Danone accused of misleading mothers and misrepresenting UN|first1=Melanie|last1=Newman|first2=Oliver|last2=Wright|date=29 June 2013|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exclusive-after-nestl-now-aptamil-manufacturer-danone-is-hit-by-breast-milk-scandal-8679226.html|work=The Independent|location=London|access-date=30 April 2016|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021537/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/after-nestle-aptamil-manufacturer-danone-now-hit-breast-milk-scandal-8679226.html|url-status=dead}}

Following a statement by the New Zealand government and Fonterra on 2 August 2013 warning that batches of ingredients supplied by Fonterra to four Danone plants in Asia-Pacific might be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria,[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-milk-bacteria-idUSBRE97202O20130803 NZ's Fonterra finds botulism bacteria in dairy ingredient]. Reuters, 3 August 2013. Danone recalled selected infant formula products from sale in eight markets (New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand) as a precautionary measure.

The alert was lifted on 28 August when New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries concluded after several weeks of tests that there was no Clostridium botulinum in any of the batches concerned. None of the many tests conducted by Danone before and after this period showed any contamination.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fonterra-danone-dispute-idUSBRE99115R20131002 Danone wants full compensation from Fonterra after recall]. Reuters, 2 October 2013.

On 8 January 2014, Danone announced its decision to terminate its existing supply contract with Fonterra and make any further collaboration contingent on a commitment by its supplier to full transparency and compliance with the food safety procedures applied to all products supplied to Danone.{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/danone-terminates-fonterra-supply-deal/353466.article|title=Danone terminates Fonterra supply deal|first=Richard|last=Ford|website=Thegrocer.co.uk|access-date=22 October 2018}} Danone won damages of €105 million from Fonterra.{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Fonterra-in-talks-with-Nutricia-owners/tabid/421/articleID/315503/Default.aspx |title=Fonterra in talks with Nutricia owners - Story - Business - 3 News |access-date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213803/http://www.3news.co.nz/Fonterra-in-talks-with-Nutricia-owners/tabid/421/articleID/315503/Default.aspx |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}

In 2019 the Spanish regulator {{lang|es-ES|Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia}} fined Danone 929,644 euros for forming a cartel with other dairy companies to avoid competition when buying milk from Spanish farmers between 2000 and 2013.

In February 2024, the Spanish {{lang|es-ES|Audiencia Nacional}} annulled the fine as the statute of limitations have passed for Danone.{{cite news |last1=Obelleiro |first1=Paola |title=El cártel de la leche se enfrenta a pagar miles de millones de euros a los productores perjudicados |url=https://www.eldiario.es/galicia/cartel-leche-enfrenta-pagar-miles-millones-euros-productores-perjudicados_1_10952915.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=elDiario.es |date=23 February 2024 |language=es}}

File:Dannon Low Fat Yogurt Parfait 1 (15876174571).jpg|Yogurt parfait

File:Dannon Low Fat Yogurt Parfait 2 (15876174771).jpg|Yogurt parfait

File:Natillas con caramelo.jpg|Natillas

File:ダノンBIO チロルチョコ付き (128360399).jpg|Yogurt with confections (Japan)

File:Oatmilk 1.jpg|Silk oat milk

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