Latest news with #Ben'sOriginal
CTV News
29-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Amazon seeks to end lawsuit claiming rice contaminated by heavy metals
The Amazon logo is seen on the exterior wall of the Amazon OXR1 fulfillment center in Oxnard, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo) Amazon urged a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class action over its alleged sale of rice tainted by arsenic and other 'heavy metals,' denying the accusation it fraudulently concealed contamination. In a filing late on Friday in Seattle federal court, Amazon said the presence of heavy metals in rice was a 'decades-old, well-known issue' that was easy to discover, and the plaintiffs did not claim there were more metals than regulators allowed. Amazon also said Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act shields online platforms from liability over content from third parties, such as rice sellers. Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond on Tuesday to requests for comment. The lawsuit on May 23 covered 18 types of rice sold through Amazon, including from brands such as Ben's Original and Amazon-owned Whole Foods' 365. Plaintiffs Ashley Wright and Merriman Blum said they would not have bought or would have paid less for their Iberia basmati rice, one of the products, had they known it was contaminated or Amazon never tested it for heavy metals. Exposure to heavy metals has been associated with nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage. It has also been associated with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in young children. The lawsuit followed a study by the nonprofit Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, which found arsenic in all 145 rice samples purchased nationwide, cadmium in all but one sample, and lead and mercury in more than one-third of tested samples. The case is Wright et al v Inc, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, No. 25-00977. --- Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Bill Berkrot
Cision Canada
17-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Mars and Ben's Original™ Serve Up New Tasty, Accessible and Healthy Mealtime Solutions
Innovative Portfolio Expansion with Ben's Original™ New Single-Serve Rice Cups and Street Food Entrees for the On-the-Go Lifestyle BOLTON, ON, July 17, 2025 /CNW/ -- Ben's Original™ brand, proudly part of Mars and a trusted name in kitchens for more than 75 years, is redefining mealtime convenience with the launch of two exciting product innovations in Canada and the United States: Ben's Original™ Single-Serve Cups and expanded flavours in the Ben's Original™ Street Food line. These new offerings are designed to meet the needs of today's busy consumers who crave options that are tasty, accessible, and healthy, while still maintaining the quality and flavour Ben's Original fans know and love. Ben's Original Single-Serve Cups: A Modern Take on Mealtime Convenience Finding nutritious, convenient snacks that fit into busy lifestyles can be a challenge, with more than half of Canadians wishing there were more healthy snacks packaged for on-the-go 1. Enter Ben's Original Single Serve Cups – the perfect solution to busy days when you want to reach for an option that's fast, wholesome, and filling favourite meal, these compact cups bring convenience and flavour to the table — no matter how hectic the day. The new Single-Serve Cups come in four versatile flavours: Jasmine Rice: A classic, aromatic rice that goes with everything. With no added salt, Jasmine Rice Single-Serve Cups are the ideal base for any meal. Mexican Style Rice: Bursting with bold flavours from tomato, bell peppers, spices, and more, this zesty and wholesome option is perfect on its own or paired with your favourite meal. Fried Rice: This globally inspired favourite makes a delicious snack or light meal anytime, and flavour is kicked up with tamari soy sauce and aromatics, along with peas and carrots. Roasted Chicken Flavour: Always a family favourite, this savoury and comforting flavour features real chicken ingredients, garlic, onions, and parsley, delivering authentic chicken flavour without the extra salt. "We understand that busy lifestyles can make healthy eating a challenge — that's why we're creating quick, convenient meal options that are accessible to Canadians and don't compromise on taste or nutrition," said Derin Bello, General Manager at Mars Food & Nutrition, Canada. "By infusing global flavours into our latest innovations, we're celebrating Canada's rich cultural diversity while delivering on our commitment to provide food that fits today's fast-paced lives — meal solutions Canadians can feel good about and truly enjoy." Ben's Original Street Food: Bold Flavours, Global Inspiration First introduced in 2024, Ben's Original Street Food has quickly become a fan favourite for those short on time but craving a tasty dish. Now, the line is expanding with two new flavours: Ben's Original™ Street Food Honey BBQ Flavoured Rice with Chicken – Sweet, smoky, and packed with protein including beans. Ben's Original™ Street Food Teriyaki Style Rice with Chicken – A savoury and satisfying blend with a touch of real sweet pineapple. Ready in just 90 seconds, each bowl is packed with up to 13g of protein and 8g of fiber per serving — providing a balanced and flavourful solution for weeknight dinners, office lunches, or anytime hunger hits. Be an After School Hero: Ben's Original Continues Its Legacy of Better Food and Stronger Communities Ben's Original has a long history of delivering tasty, healthy and accessible food to households across North America. As part of its commitment to supporting communities, Ben's Original is continuing its "Be an After School Hero" program benefitting Food Banks Canada, a national campaign to end hunger in Canada. From August 15 to September 30, 2025, $1 CAD will be donated to Food Banks Canada for each purchase of Ben's Original products, with a total commitment of $100,000 CAD. To learn more, explore products, and get recipe inspiration, visit and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. About Mars, Incorporated Mars, Incorporated, is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $50bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN ®, PEDIGREE ®, WHISKAS ®, CESAR ®, DOVE ®, EXTRA ®, M&M'S ®, SNICKERS ® and BEN'S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA ™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH ® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles—Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom—inspire our 150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet. Mars Food & Nutrition is a segment of Mars, Incorporated, with 2,000 Associates across the globe. It has some of the world's leading food brands: Ben's Original ™, Kevin's Natural Foods, MasterFoods ®, SEEDS OF CHANGE ®, Tasty Bite ®, and DOLMIO ® enjoyed in more than 30 markets around the world.
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Ben's Original™ Reaffirms Its Mission to Provide Simple, Tasty Meals That Bring People Together Through New "Keep It Original" Global Brand Platform
New creative platform to guide all brand communications across the Ben's Original product portfolio, including Ready to Heat Rice portfolio, Ready Meals, and Sauces LONDON, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ -- Ben's Original™, proudly part of Mars and a trusted name in kitchens worldwide, today launched its new global brand platform, "Keep It Original". The new creative platform is a celebration of the authenticity and reliability that the Ben's Original brand has delivered for generations, encouraging consumers to embrace their originality. Keeping It Original with Ben's Original Mealtime Staples The inaugural campaign under the "Keep It Original" platform will spotlight the iconic, universally loved Ben's Original household essential: ready to heat rice. This 360 campaign in partnership with WPP Media will first launch in the US and on digital platforms with a television commercial (TVC), online video and social media content. The TVC uses a dynamic camera tracking technique, symbolizing life's constant motion, and features the dinner table as a central theme, where the joys of life converge. In today's world, consumers are seeking cultural anchors and trusted brands that offer reliable mealtime solutions without spending hours in the kitchen, with 48% of people in the U.S. spending fewer than 15 minutes daily preparing dinner 1. Ben's Original addresses this need with "Keep It Original," emphasizing the brand's consistent quality, convenience, and ability to unite people around the dinner table. The campaign TVC and accompanying creative assets feature individuals and families enjoying Ben's Original in daily life, showcasing Ben's Original as the ultimate solution to delicious, flavorful meals, wherever life takes you. And to truly demonstrate Ben's Original brand purpose, the brand used real people instead of actors in the campaign with relatable scenes inspired by their own life experiences. "We are incredibly proud to launch 'Keep It Original' with a campaign that truly embodies the spirit of Ben's Original as a brand that brings people together over shared mealtimes," said Matt Graham, Global CMO, Mars Food & Nutrition. "This platform celebrates the brand's heritage, while addressing the needs of today's busy consumers who are looking for tasty, accessible, and healthy meal solutions from brands they trust." Kareem Shuhaibar, Global Creative Director at T&P, added, "Creating the 'Keep It Original' brand platform has been an exciting journey. We're proud to have developed a campaign that delivers on the Ben's Original legacy, highlighting the brand's ability to bring simple moments of happiness to all, no matter who they are or what they're doing." "We are excited to bring the new creative platform to life through our strategic media partnerships, incorporating innovations across Social and using contextually relevant placements to deliver our evolved audience approach." Clare Redshaw-Farrow, Global Segment Lead, WPP Media Alongside its new brand platform, Ben's Original is introducing an evolved brand identity created by global branding agency JKR. The updated identity will be used to create a more consistent, distinctive and recognizable brand experience. Together, these changes help show what the brand stands for—good food, real ingredients, and a sense of community. Brand Legacy and Future Direction For generations, Ben's Original has been a trusted name in kitchens across the globe, offering a wide range of convenient and tasty rice products. With the "Keep It Original" brand platform, Ben's Original reaffirms its commitment to providing simple, tasty meals that bring people together, while embracing the authenticity and individuality of its consumers. The platform is designed to be both enduring and adaptable so that it resonates with consumers for years to come. The "Keep It Original" TVC will first be broadcast on major US television networks and online video platforms starting this month. The campaign will then roll out in other markets globally, including Canada in August, followed by the UK, other markets across Europe, and Australia through 2026. To learn more, explore products, and get recipe inspiration, visit and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Pint erest. Watch the campaign here: Mars Ben's Original Kitchen & Apartment Mars Ben's Original Kitchen & Camping About Mars, Incorporated Mars, Incorporated, is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $50bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M'S®, SNICKERS® and BEN'S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles—Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom—inspire our 150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet. Mars Food & Nutrition is a segment of Mars, Incorporated, with 2,000 Associates across the globe. It has some of the world's leading food brands: Ben's Original™, Kevin's Natural Foods, MasterFoods®, SEEDS OF CHANGE®, Tasty Bite®, and DOLMIO® enjoyed in more than 30 markets around the world. About T&P T&P is one of the world's leading full service creative and media agencies, connecting talent and tech to drive growth for brands. Formed by the integration of The&Partnership and mSix&Partners, it brings together content and distribution into a single, holistic end-to-end marketing solution. Backed by WPP, and combined with the agility of an entrepreneurial Partner-led mindset, the multi-discipline agency spans four continents with 45 offices and over $1.2 billion dollars in billings globally. As an early adopter with the first ever AI-generated TV ad for Lexus in 2018, T&P is focused on harnessing AI across all its outputs with its 1,900 people already trained on WPP's proprietary AI platform Creative Studio, to deliver enhanced outcomes for clients. WPP Media is WPP's global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit About JKR JKR is a global branding agency with offices in London and New York. The agency makes brands distinctive and works with brave, tenacious, and unlike-minded individuals, inspiring both to be their true selves. JKR has created numerous notable brand moments in its 35-year history. By embodying the mantra "Be Distinctive. Everywhere", the agency has shaped the branding for renowned icons such as Burger King, Dunkin', M&M'S, Yahoo!, RSPCA, Stella Artois, Uber and Walmart.
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Pringles maker Kellanova's shares rise after US regulators approve its proposed merger with Mars
Snack maker Kellanova's shares rose Thursday on news that its proposed merger with Mars Inc. had cleared U.S. regulators. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced late Wednesday that after nearly a year of investigation, it determined that a merger between Mars and Kellanova wouldn't threaten competition in the market. Kellanova shares were up nearly 1% in morning trading. Mars is privately held. McLean, Virginia-based Mars makes sweet snacks like M&M's, Snickers and Skittles as well as Ben's Original rice and pet food. Chicago-based Kellanova, which was created in 2023 when the Kellogg Co. split into two companies, owns brands including Cheez-its, Pringles, Eggo, Town House, MorningStar Farms and Rice Krispies Treats. Last August, Mars announced its intention to buy Kellanova for $35.9 billion. It said the deal would help it broaden its snacking portfolio and expand globally. Around 50% of Kellanova's net sales come from outside the U.S. and Canada. Mars President and CEO Poul Weihrauch said that with the FTC's decision, the proposed merger has now cleared all but one of the 28 regulatory approvals it sought. An antitrust review by the European Commission remains outstanding. 'This brings us one step closer to uniting two iconic businesses with complementary footprints and portfolios, allowing us to deliver more choice and innovation to consumers,' Weihrauch said in a statement. Mars and Kellanova said they expect the deal to close towards the end of this year, pending the European review.
26-06-2025
- Business
Pringles maker Kellanova's shares rise after US regulators approve proposed merger
Snack maker Kellanova's shares rose Thursday on news that its proposed merger with Mars Inc. had cleared U.S. regulators. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced late Wednesday that after nearly a year of investigation, it determined that a merger between Mars and Kellanova wouldn't threaten competition in the market. Kellanova shares were up nearly 1% in morning trading. Mars is privately held. McLean, Virginia-based Mars makes sweet snacks like M&M's, Snickers and Skittles as well as Ben's Original rice and pet food. Chicago-based Kellanova, which was created in 2023 when the Kellogg Co. split into two companies, owns brands including Cheez-its, Pringles, Eggo, Town House, MorningStar Farms and Rice Krispies Treats. Last August, Mars announced its intention to buy Kellanova for $35.9 billion. It said the deal would help it broaden its snacking portfolio and expand globally. Around 50% of Kellanova's net sales come from outside the U.S. and Canada. Mars President and CEO Poul Weihrauch said that with the FTC's decision, the proposed merger has now cleared all but one of the 28 regulatory approvals it sought. An antitrust review by the European Commission remains outstanding. 'This brings us one step closer to uniting two iconic businesses with complementary footprints and portfolios, allowing us to deliver more choice and innovation to consumers,' Weihrauch said in a statement.
