{{Short description|American multinational consumer packaged goods holding company}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Use American English|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Conagra Brands, Inc. | logo = Conagra brands logo17.png | logo_size = 200 | image = | image_caption = | type = [[Public company|Public]] | traded_as = {{ubl|{{nyse|CAG}}|[[S&P 500]] component}} | former_names = {{ubl|Nebraska Consolidated Mills (1919–1971)|ConAgra Foods|(1971–2016)}} | foundation = {{Start date and age|1919}}<ref name="Baghai">Baghai, Mehrdad, et al. (2000). ''The Alchemy of Growth''. Da Capo Press, p. 176 {{ISBN|0-7382-0309-2}}</ref> | founder = Alva Kinney | location = [[Merchandise Mart]]<br />[[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S. | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Sean Connolly ([[CEO]]) | industry = [[Food processing]] | products = | revenue = {{decrease}} {{US$|11.6 billion|link=yes}} (2025) | operating_income = {{increase}} {{US$|1.36 billion}} (2025) | net_income = {{increase}} {{US$|1.15 billion}} (2025) | assets = {{increase}} {{US$|20.9 billion}} (2025) | equity = {{increase}} {{US$|8.93 billion}} (2025) | num_employees = 18,300 (2025) | owner = | parent = | subsid = | brands = [[List of Conagra brands]] | homepage = {{url|https://www.conagrabrands.com/|conagrabrands.com}} | footnotes = Financials {{as of|2025|05|25|lc=y|df=US}}.<ref name="10-K">{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000023217/000155837025009180/tmb-20250525x10k.htm |title=Conagra Brands, Inc. FY 2025 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref> }} '''Conagra Brands, Inc.''' (formerly '''ConAgra Foods''') is an American [[Fast-moving consumer goods|consumer packaged goods]] [[holding company]] that makes and sells products under various [[brand]] names that are available in supermarkets, restaurants, and [[food service]] establishments. Based on its 2021 revenue, the company ranked 331st on the 2022 [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/conagra-brands/|title=Conagra Brands|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=July 23, 2022|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502132222/http://fortune.com/fortune500/conagra-brands/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Headquartered in [[Chicago, Illinois]], Conagra was founded in [[Nebraska]] in 1919 and was originally called Nebraska Consolidated Mills.
== History == ===1919–1949: Founding and early history=== Conagra was founded in September 1919 as Nebraska Consolidated Mills (NCM) by Alva Kinney. The company was a conglomerate of four [[Dry milling and fractionation of grain|grain milling]] companies headquartered in [[Grand Island, Nebraska|Grand Island]], [[Nebraska]].<ref name="Baghai"/><ref name="WaPo1">{{cite news |title=Charles M. Harper, CEO who transformed ConAgra into global powerhouse, dies at 88 |last1=Smith |first1=Harrison |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/charles-m-harper-ceo-who-transformed-conagra-into-global-powerhouse-dies-at-88/2016/05/30/7b1d29e8-2679-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 30, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name="GII1">{{cite news |title=ConAgra's origins have Grand Island roots |last1=Pore |first1=Robert |url=https://theindependent.com/news/conagras-origins-have-grand-island-roots/article_cafac265-e4ce-5c76-8ddc-e532495e9a77.html |work=[[The Grand Island Independent]] |date=February 28, 2007 |access-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref> The company moved its headquarters to [[Omaha, Nebraska]], in 1922 following the purchase of Updike Mill. That year, NCM posted a profit of $175,000, its first profit since its founding.<ref name="GII1" /> In 1941, the company opened a mill in [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]], [[Alabama]]. It was NCM's first plant outside of Nebraska.<ref name="Decatur1">{{cite news |title=Nebraska Consolidated Mills to open big flour plant here |last1= |first1= |url= |work=[[The Decatur Daily]] |date=August 28, 1940 |access-date=}}</ref><ref name="Decatur2">{{cite news |title=City is building road to the new Alabama Flour Mills property |last1= |first1= |url= |work=The Decatur Daily |date=February 18, 1941 |access-date=}}</ref>
===1950–1970: Expansion and decline=== [[File:ConAgra Foods logo.svg|thumb|150px|The previous ConAgra Foods logo, which was used until June 2009.]] After researching new uses for its flour, NCM funded the establishment of the [[Duncan Hines]] brand of cake mixes in 1951 as a way to market more flour. It sold its Duncan Hines assets to [[Procter & Gamble]] in 1956.<ref name="SpokeReview">{{cite news |title=All In The Family Conagra's Businesses Support Each Other |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/jul/23/all-in-the-family-conagras-businesses-support/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |publisher=The Spokesman-Review |date=23 July 1995}}</ref> In 1957, NCM built its first mill outside the continental United States, constructing a plant in [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name="OWH1">{{cite news |title=Key dates in Conagra Brands' 100-year history |last1= |first1= |url=https://omaha.com/business/key-dates-in-conagra-brands-100-year-history/article_d14e6bbe-3259-53af-8a00-91a5e3246e08.html |work=[[Omaha World Herald]] |date=October 6, 2019 |access-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref> Conagra Brands would reacquire the Duncan Hines brand in 2018 through its acquisition of [[Pinnacle Foods]], which had bought the brand from Procter & Gamble in 1997.
===1971–1999: Rebranding to ConAgra=== NCM changed its name to ConAgra in 1971. The name is a combination of the Latin words ''[[wikt:cum#Latin|con]]'' ("with") and ''[[wikt:ager#Latin|agrī]]'' ("soil" or "earth").<ref name="GII1"/> It went public and began trading on the [[New York Stock Exchange|NYSE]] two years later.<ref name="SpokeReview"/> Losses suffered in 1974 from bad investments and commodities speculation had the company facing bankruptcy.<ref name=blyskal>{{cite news |title=Food Company in the U.S. |last1=Blyskal |first1=Jeff |work=Forbes |date=October 24, 1983}}</ref> ConAgra hired [[Pillsbury (brand)|Pillsbury]] executive [[C. Michael Harper]] to be its [[chief operating officer]] in the fall of 1974 and tasked him with stabilizing the company.<ref name="WaPo1" />
Harper began selling what he deemed to be unnecessary buildings and plots of land owned by the company, as well as entire divisions that did not align with ConAgra's new direction as a company that primarily dealt with basic food items.<ref name="WaPo1" /> By 1976, now [[chief executive officer]] Harper, sold 25 assets and reduced the company debt by $35 million.<ref name=blyskal/> In 1981, ConAgra's gross sales topped $1 billion for the first time and Harper was named Chairman.<ref name="OWH1"/>
ConAgra acquired approximately 200 companies over a 20-year period, including [[Banquet Foods]] in 1980, [[Gavilon|Peavey]] in 1982, [[Armour and Company]] in 1983,<ref name=blyskal/> Monfort in 1987, [[Lamb Weston]] in 1988, and [[Beatrice Foods]] in 1990. The acquisitions of Monfort and Beatrice made ConAgra the world's largest [[meat-packing industry|meatpacker]] and second-largest [[food processing|food processor]], respectively.<ref name="WaPo1" /> During this time, the company created the [[Healthy Choice]] label, to market a line of frozen dinners.<ref name="OWH1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/26/garden/how-a-heart-attack-changed-a-company.html|url-access=subscription|first1=Trish|last1=Hall|date=26 February 1992|accessdate=20 August 2023|title=How a Heart Attack Changed a Company: [Biography]|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
By the mid-1980s, ConAgra was [[vertically integrated]] across the food supply chain, selling fertilizer, tires and clothing; with companies for animal and crop harvesting, and for exporting and trading.<ref name="Trib4">{{cite news |title=ConAgra makes high living off the fat of the land |last1=Gorman |first1=John |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-10-06-8603150297-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 6, 1986 |accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>
ConAgra was found guilty of tampering with scales when measuring the weight of incoming birds from Alabama chicken farmers in 1989 and settled a [[class action]] suit in 1995 levied against ConAgra, [[Hormel Foods]], and Delta Pride Catfish for conspiring with other companies to [[price fixing|fix the price]] of [[catfish]].<ref name="WaPo2">{{cite news |title=Charles M. Harper, CEO who transformed ConAgra into global powerhouse, dies at 88 |last1=Smith |first1=Harrison |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/charles-m-harper-ceo-who-transformed-conagra-into-global-powerhouse-dies-at-88/2016/05/30/7b1d29e8-2679-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 30, 2016 |accessdate=March 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NYT13">{{cite news |title=Hormel and Conagra Settle Catfish Suit |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/30/business/hormel-and-conagra-settle-catfish-suit.html |work=The New York Times |agency=Bloomberg News |date=December 30, 1995 |accessdate=March 24, 2023}}</ref> Two years later, ConAgra pleaded guilty in a federal case to spraying water on grain in its Peavey unit, fraudulently increasing the grain's weight to boost profits, and bribing federal officials. The company was charged $8.3 million for the case. It also settled a civil suit with farmers in Indiana for $2 million.<ref name="NYT6">{{cite news |title=Conagra Set to Settle Criminal Charges It Increased Weight and Value of Grain |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/20/business/conagra-set-to-settle-criminal-charges-it-increased-weight-and-value-of-grain.html |work=The New York Times |agency=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=March 20, 1997 |accessdate=March 21, 2023}}</ref>
During this period, ConAgra was also criticized for some of its business practices, including the demolition of the [[Jobbers Canyon Historic District]] to build the company's new headquarters, the company's use of pesticides, sanitary and labor practices in its meat processing divisions and the pricing of consumer goods.<ref name="NYT8">{{cite news |title=Historic district at issue in Omaha |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/13/us/historic-district-at-issue-in-omaha.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 13, 1987 |accessdate=March 21, 2023}}</ref><ref name="WaPo1" /> In 1987, Harper threatened to move ConAgra's headquarters out of Omaha unless the city approved the demolition of Jobbers Canyon, a [[warehouse district]] located along the [[Missouri River]]. The district had been declared a historical site and its demolition was opposed by historical preservation groups, but the city ultimately capitulated, razing the district in 1989. As of 1994, it was the largest destruction of a historic site in the United States.<ref name="Gratz">{{cite book |last1=Gratz |first1=Roberta Brandes |title=The Living City: How America's Cities are being Revitalized by Thinking Small in a Big Way |date=1994 |publisher=[[National Trust for Historic Preservation|Preservation Press]] |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] |isbn=0891332464 |edition=New |url=https://archive.org/details/livingcityhowame0000grat/page/n5/mode/2up |access-date=March 24, 2023}}</ref>{{rp|5-6}}
[[File:ConagraHQ.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Conagra Brands' former headquarters in [[Omaha, Nebraska]]. Contains the ConAgra Foods logo used from 2009 to 2017.]]
By 1992, ConAgra's annual sales had topped $21 billion.<ref name="NYT14">{{cite news |title=Cultivating Conagra: Agribusiness Giant Seeks Balance Between Freedom And Cooperation for Units |last1=Feder |first1=Barnaby J. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/30/business/market-place-cultivating-conagra-agribusiness-giant-seeks-balance-between.html |work=The New York Times |date=October 30, 1997 |accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref> The company continued to make acquisitions and launch product lines throughout the 1990s, including [[Marie Callender's]] frozen product line in 1994<ref name="HBJ1">{{cite news |title=Marie Callender's chain returns for another piece of local pie |last1=Elder |first1=Laura Elizabeth |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/1996/11/25/story6.html |work=[[American City Business Journals|Houston Business Journal]] |date=November 24, 1996 |accessdate=March 24, 2023}}</ref> and [[GoodMark Foods]] in 1998.<ref name="TBJ1">{{cite news |title=ConAgra to acquire GoodMark for 216M |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/1998/06/15/daily6.html |work=Triangle Business Journal |date=June 18, 1998 |accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref> Also in 1998, ConAgra acquired several brands from [[RJR Nabisco]], including [[Egg Beaters]] and Nabisco's table spread unit, which included margarines under the [[Parkay]] and [[Blue Bonnet (brand)|Blue Bonnet]] brands.<ref name="Trib5">{{cite news |title=ConAgra to acquire 2 Nabisco units |last1=Gunset |first1=George |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-07-22-9807220333-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=July 22, 1998 |accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>
=== 2000–2015: From meatpacking to packaged goods === ConAgra rebranded as ConAgra Foods in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Key dates in Conagra Brands' 100-year history |last1= |first1= |url=https://omaha.com/business/key-dates-in-conagra-brands-100-year-history/article_d14e6bbe-3259-53af-8a00-91a5e3246e08.html |work=[[Omaha World Herald]] |quote=2000: ConAgra Inc. becomes ConAgra Foods Inc. |date=October 6, 2019 |accessdate=March 22, 2023}}</ref> The first half of the ensuing decade was marked by the sale of the company's fresh and refrigerated meat units, beginning with the sale of its majority stake in [[Swift & Company]] to [[Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst]] and Booth Creek Management in 2002. The Swift sale ended ConAgra's involvement in the fresh beef and pork industries.<ref name="GT2">{{cite news |title=ConAgra beef sold |last1=Jackson |first1=Bill |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2002/11/26/conagra-beef-sold/ |work=[[Greeley Tribune]] |date=November 26, 2002 |accessdate=March 24, 2023}}</ref> The same year, ConAgra joined a coalition of food producers and trade associations, including [[PepsiCo]], [[General Mills]], and [[CropLife International]] to defeat [[2002 Oregon Ballot Measure 27|Oregon Ballot Measure 27]], which would have required the labeling of [[genetically modified food]] in the state.<ref name="WSJ5">{{cite news |title=Food Industry Is Campaigning Against Oregon GMO Proposal |last1=Callahan |first1=Patricia |author-link=Patricia Callahan |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1033331532343828793?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=September 30, 2002 |accessdate=March 21, 2023}}</ref>
In July 2004, six people were killed in a shooting inside the ConAgra Foods plant in [[Kansas City, Kansas]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Draper |first=Bill |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://cjonline.com/stories/070204/bre_kckshootings.shtml#.Vg2I39Lov_8| title=KCK meatpacking plant shooting kills several| date=July 2, 2004| access-date=October 1, 2015| work=[[The Topeka Capital-Journal]]}}</ref>
In 2006, the company sold its refrigerated meats divisions, including the [[Butterball]], [[Eckrich]], and Armour brands, to [[Smithfield Foods]] for $575 million.<ref name="LAT2">{{cite news |title=Smithfield to Buy Most of ConAgra Meat Assets |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-aug-01-fi-briefs1.1-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=August 1, 2006 |accessdate=March 24, 2023}}</ref> The same year, the company closed its [[Hunt-Wesson]] operations in [[Irvine, California]], and split the unit between Omaha and [[Naperville, Illinois]].<ref name="OC1">{{cite news |title=ConAgra moving Irvine operations to cut costs |work=[[Orange County Register]] |date=February 3, 2006 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2006/02/03/conagra-moving-irvine-operations-to-cut-costs/ |last1=Galvin |first1=Andrew}}</ref>
In 2008, ConAgra purchased Watts Brothers Farms from [[Don Watts (farmer)|Don Watts]]<ref name="EO1">{{cite news |title=ConAgra adds Watts Brothers to food empire |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.eastoregonian.com/news/local/conagra-adds-watts-brothers-to-food-empire/article_d362e8bb-ecd9-5a00-9865-67215a64058a.html |work=[[East Oregonian]] |date=March 2, 2008 |accessdate=March 21, 2023}}</ref> and purchased [[Ralcorp]] in 2012.<ref name="KTVO1">{{cite news |title=ConAgra Foods to make big purchase |url=http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=830117 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |work=[[KTVO]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=November 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129235023/http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=830117 |archive-date=November 29, 2012}}</ref> Also in 2012, the company joined with PepsiCo, [[Nestlé]] and other food firms to defeat [[2012 California Proposition 37|Proposition 37]], a California [[ballot measure]] which would have mandated the labeling of genetically modified foods.<ref>{{cite news |title=Uneasy Allies in the Grocery Aisle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/business/california-referendum-pits-organic-brands-against-corporate-parents.html |last1=Strom |first1=Stephanie |work=The New York Times |date=September 13, 2012 |access-date=March 21, 2023}}</ref> The following year, Conagra joined with [[Walmart]] and approximately 20 other companies to seek the establishment of national labeling standards for genetically modified foods.<ref name="NYT4">{{cite news |title=Genetic Changes to Food May Get Uniform Labeling |last1=Strom |first1=Stephanie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/business/food-companies-meet-to-weigh-federal-label-for-gene-engineered-ingredients.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 31, 2013 |accessdate=March 21, 2023}}</ref> In 2012, ConAgra acquired the [[P.F. Chang's]] and [[Bertolli]] licensed brands from [[Unilever]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ConAgra Foods Announces Agreement to Acquire Bertolli and P.F. Chang's Frozen Meals Businesses From Unilever PLC |url=https://www.conagrabrands.com/news-room/news-conagra-foods-announces-agreement-to-acquire-bertolli-and-pf-changs-frozen-meals-businesses-from-unilever-plc-1719916 |website=Conagra Brands |access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ConAgra Foods Completes Acquisition of Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s Frozen Meals Businesses from Unilever PLC |url=https://www.conagrabrands.com/news-room/news-conagra-foods-completes-acquisition-of-bertolli-and-pf-changs-frozen-meals-businesses-from-unilever-plc-1726986 |website=Conagra Brands |access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref> In 2014, ConAgra acquired TaiMei Potato Industry Limited, an [[Inner Mongolia|Inner Mongolian]] potato processor.<ref name="Market1">{{cite web |title=ConAgra Foods Acquires Chinese Potato Processor TaiMei Potato Industry Limited |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-foods-acquires-chinese-potato-processor-taimei-potato-industry-limited-2014-07-14 |website=[[MarketWatch]] |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628212314/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/conagra-foods-acquires-chinese-potato-processor-taimei-potato-industry-limited-2014-07-14 |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ConAgra sold Ralcorp to [[TreeHouse Foods]] for $2.7 billion in 2015<ref name="NYT1">{{cite news |last1=Picker |first1=Leslie |title=ConAgra Sells Private-Label Business for $2.7 Billion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/business/dealbook/conagra-sells-private-label-business-for-2-7-billion.html |access-date=January 26, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=November 2, 2015}}</ref> and purchased Blake's All Natural Foods the same year.<ref name="WSJ2">{{cite news |title=ConAgra Buys Blake's All Natural Foods |last1=Chen |first1=Angela |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/conagra-buys-blakes-all-natural-foods-1431466366 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 12, 2015 |accessdate=March 21, 2023}}</ref> ConAgra spun off Lamb Weston into an independent company in 2016.<ref name="AP1">{{cite news |title=Conagra Brands completes Lamb Weston spinoff, name change |url=https://apnews.com/article/7c6c97a8ca334e8998f185feb53ad02a |access-date=January 30, 2023 |work=Associated Press |date=November 10, 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
During the 2000s and 2010s, ConAgra faced scrutiny for its environmental practices.
On January 7, 2014, a [[Superior Courts of California|California Superior Court]] found that ConAgra and its co-defendants were liable in creating a public nuisance due to [[lead paint|lead-based paint]] the companies sold. Ten local governments in California filed the suit and the court ordered Conagra, [[NL Industries]] and [[Sherwin-Williams]] to pay $1.15 billion to remove or abate the lead in homes located in those cities and counties. ConAgra was named a defendant in the suit as it had assumed the liabilities of W.P. Fuller & Co. following a series of mergers;<ref name="Bloomberg3">{{cite news |title=Sherwin, NL, ConAgra Lose $1.1 Billion Lead Paint Ruling |last1=Rosenblatt |first1=Joel |last2=Kaskey |first2=Jack |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-16/sherwin-nl-conagra-lose-1-1-billion-lead-paint-verdict-1- |work=Bloomberg News |date=December 17, 2013 |accessdate=March 24, 2023}}</ref> after multiple appeals, the company reached a settlement amount of $305 million in 2019.<ref name="Reuters2">{{cite news |title=Paint makers reach $305 mln settlement in California, ending marathon lead poisoning lawsuit |last1=Schneyer |first1=Joshua |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-lead-settlement/paint-makers-reach-305-mln-settlement-in-california-ending-marathon-lead-poisoning-lawsuit-idUSL2N24G19S |work=[[Reuters]] |date=July 17, 2019 |accessdate=March 24, 2023}}</ref>
ConAgra also drew attention for its labor and health practices. A company plant in Colorado had been cited numerous times from 1999 to 2002 for violating worker safety.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beef Processor's Parent No Stranger to Troubles |first=Greg |last=Winter |author-link=Greg Winter (journalist) |date=July 20, 2002 |journal=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C04E5D91F39F933A15754C0A9649C8B63}}</ref> In May 2003, ConAgra and its subsidiary Gilroy Foods agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle charges of hiring discrimination brought by the [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]] (EEOC). The charges involved a July 1999 [[Teamsters]] strike at a Gilroy Foods plant in [[King City, California]], then owned by Basic Vegetable Products LP but later purchased by ConAgra. In August 2001, the company and union negotiated an end to the two-year strike with a new contract, but the recall of workers excluded some workers who were on leave at the time of the purchase including those out due to work injury or pregnancy. Others were denied jobs due to a history of previous injury or illness, despite their having no restrictions on returning to work, according to the EEOC. Also according to the EEOC, most of the 39 workers who were excluded from the recall process had been working at the plant for "10 to 20 years, some even longer," and were primarily [[Hispanic]] and female.<ref>{{cite news| title=ConAgra to Pay to Settle Disability Lawsuit| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-21-fi-conagra21-story.html| agency=[[Bloomberg News]]| work=[[Los Angeles Times]]| date=May 21, 2003| access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref>
===2016–present: Relocation=== In 2016, ConAgra cut 1,500 jobs, transferred its headquarters to [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], and changed its name to "Conagra Brands".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gasparro |first=Annie |date=1 October 2015 |title=ConAgra to Cut 1,500 Jobs, Move Headquarters to Chicago |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/conagra-to-cut-1-500-jobs-move-headquarters-to-chicago-1443702696 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-30 |title=ConAgra settles into new HQ at Chicago's Merchandise Mart |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-conagra-headquarters-move-0701-biz-20160630-story.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>
On September 22, 2017, Conagra announced that it was acquiring [[Angie's Kettle Corn|Angie's Artisan Treats]], maker of Angie's Boomchickapop popcorn.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hirsch|first1=Lauren|title=Orville Redenbacher's popcorn owner Conagra is acquiring Angie's Boomchickapop|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/22/conagra-is-buyng-angies-boomchickapop-popcorn.html|work=CNBC|date=September 22, 2017}}</ref> The company announced the acquisition was completed on October 23, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|author=Conagra Brands|title=Conagra Brands Completes Acquisition Of Angie's Artisan Treats, LLC|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/conagra-brands-completes-acquisition-of-angies-artisan-treats-llc-maker-of-angies-boomchickapop-ready-to-eat-popcorn-from-tpg-growth-300541286.html|access-date=May 10, 2018|work=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}}</ref>
On June 27, 2018, Conagra Brands announced the acquisition of [[Pinnacle Foods]] for $8.1 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pinnacle-fds-m-a-conagra-brands/conagra-to-buy-pinnacle-for-8-1-billion-creating-frozen-food-powerhouse-idUSKBN1JN19Y |title=Conagra to buy Pinnacle for $8.1 billion, creating frozen food powerhouse |first1=Richa |last1=Naidu |first2=Aishwarya|last2=Venugopal |date=June 27, 2018 |website=Reuters |language=en |access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> The acquisition closed on October 26, 2018.
On December 8, 2020, Conagra announced that it was selling the [[Peter Pan (peanut butter)|Peter Pan]] brand to [[Post Holdings]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barr |first1=Diana |title=Post Holdings to buy Peter Pan peanut butter brand |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/12/08/post-holdings-to-buy-peter-pan-peanut-butter-brand.html |access-date=December 23, 2020 |work=www.bizjournals.com |date=December 8, 2020}}</ref> The company announced the transaction was completed on January 25, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Post Holdings and Conagra Brands Announce Completion of Acquisition of Peter Pan Peanut Butter Brand by Post Holdings |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/01/25/2163502/0/en/Post-Holdings-and-Conagra-Brands-Announce-Completion-of-Acquisition-of-Peter-Pan-Peanut-Butter-Brand-by-Post-Holdings.html#:~:text=25%2C%202021%20(GLOBE%20NEWSWIRE),brand%20from%20Conagra%2C%20effective%20today. |access-date=February 10, 2021 |work=GlobeNewswire News Room |date=January 25, 2021}}</ref>
In June 2021, Conagra announced its commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-30 |title=Conagra Moves Up its Cage-Free Egg Pledge by 1 Year |url=https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/21533401/conagra-moves-up-its-cagefree-egg-pledge-by-1-year |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=Food Manufacturing |language=en-us}}</ref>
In February 2022, ConAgra paid $18 million to settle a class action from over 8,000 food-processing workers in California who argued that the company had violated California wage law.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dailey |first1=Kathleen |title=ConAgra Workers Finalize $18 Million Deal in Wage, Breaks Suit |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/conagra-workers-finalize-18-million-deal-in-wage-breaks-suit |access-date=31 August 2023 |publisher=Bloomberg |date=8 February 2022}}</ref>
== Products == {{Main|List of Conagra brands}} Conagra produces a wide array of food products including [[cooking oil]], [[frozen dinners]], [[hot cocoa]], [[tomato]]es, and [[hot dog]]s. Major brands include [[Act II (popcorn)|Act II]], [[Hunt's]], [[Ro-Tel]], [[Healthy Choice]], [[Marie Callender's]], [[Udi's Healthy Foods|Udi's Gluten-Free]], [[Orville Redenbacher's]], [[Slim Jim (snack food)|Slim Jim]], [[Reddi-wip]], [[Egg Beaters]], [[PAM (cooking oil)|Pam]], [[Angie's Kettle Corn|Angie's Boom Chicka Pop]], [[Hebrew National]], and [[Bertolli]] ready meals.
== Company overview == As of 2025, Conagra had 38 manufacturing facilities in the United States and employed approximately 18,300 people. It had net sales of $11.6 billion in fiscal year 2025.{{r|"10-K"|p=3, 23, 27}} The company is a member of the [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conagra Brands {{!}} 2023 Fortune 500 |url=https://fortune.com/company/conagra-brands/fortune500/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref> It is led by president and [[chief executive officer]] Sean M. Connolly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Jim |title=Sale of Pinnacle Foods to doom 196 jobs in Cherry Hill |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2018/12/07/conagra-pinnacle-foods-cherry-hill-parsippany-layoffs/2238527002/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Courier-Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Directors {{!}} Conagra Brands |url=https://www.conagrabrands.com/our-company/corporate-leadership/board-of-directors |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.conagrabrands.com}}</ref>
== Product incidents == [[File:Contaminated Peter Pan peanut butter.jpg|thumb|right|200px|2007: Jar of [[Peter Pan (peanut butter)|Peter Pan]] [[peanut butter]] with "2111" product code, recalled for potential ''[[Salmonella]]'' contamination.]]
=== 2002 ''E. coli'' outbreak === Conagra recalled 19 million pounds of [[ground beef]] in July 2002 with ''[[Escherichia coli O157:H7|E. coli]]'' bacterial contamination. It was the second-largest recall up to that time. That meat was linked to the illnesses of 19 people in six Western and Midwestern states.<ref name="NYT10">{{cite news |title=Parents of Sickened Children Ask for Tighter Rules on Food |last1=Becker |first1=Elizabeth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/17/us/parents-of-sickened-children-ask-for-tighter-rules-on-food.html |work=The New York Times |date=October 17, 2002 |accessdate=March 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Becker |first1=Elizabeth |title=19 Million Pounds of Meat Recalled After 19 Fall Ill |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/20/us/19-million-pounds-of-meat-recalled-after-19-fall-ill.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 20, 2002 |access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref>
=== 2006–2007 ''Salmonella'' outbreak === In February 2007, Conagra recalled jars of [[Peter Pan (peanut butter)|Peter Pan]] and [[Great Value]] brand [[peanut butter]] with the product code "2111" on the lid, because they were linked to a ''[[Salmonella]]'' outbreak. Ultimately, the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) documented more than 628 individuals who were stricken with ''Salmonella'' poisoning in 47 states that could be traced back to Peter Pan and [[Great Value]] peanut butter. Of those, 20% were hospitalized, according to the CDC, which reported no deaths associated with the outbreak.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite journal |url=http://www.dailyreportonline.com/id=1202552184925?keywords=ConAgra+faces+39+suits+over+bad+peanut+butter&publication=Daily+Report |journal=Daily Report |title=ConAgra faces 39 suits over bad peanut butter |date=August 10, 2007 |access-date=October 1, 2015 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Since Peter Pan (but not Great Value) is only made at one plant, the recall included all Peter Pan jars sold in the U.S. between May 2006 and February 2007. In May 2015, the company agreed to plead guilty to releasing products tainted with ''Salmonella'' into interstate commerce. Sentencing was delayed by U.S. District Court Judge [[Willie Louis Sands]], who ordered nationwide newspaper advertisements searching for victims of the outbreak so the government could supply Victim Impact Statements for inclusion in the pre-sentence report.<ref>{{cite news|title=Judge Wants a Thorough Search for Consumers Sickened by Peter Pan Peanut Butter |first=Dan|last=Flynn| date=June 10, 2015|work=[[Food Safety News]]|url=http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/06/judge-wants-a-thorough-search-for-consumers-sickened-by-peter-pan-peanut-butter/|access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ConAgra inches closer to sentencing for Peter Pan outbreak|first=Dan|last=Flynn|date=May 10, 2016|work=[[Food Safety News]]|url=http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2016/05/conagra/|access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref>
=== Diacetyl === On September 4, 2007, the [[Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association]] recommended reduction of [[diacetyl]] in [[butter]]-like flavorings, such as those used in [[popcorn]], due to cases of the potentially fatal disease [[bronchiolitis obliterans]] or "Popcorn Workers's Lung" appearing among plant workers exposed to diacetyl fumes, as well as in one case that involved a popcorn consumer. The next day ConAgra Foods announced that it would soon remove diacetyl from its [[Jiffy Pop]] and [[Orville Redenbacher's]] popcorn products.<ref>{{cite news |title='Popcorn lung' chemical gone from most recipes |last1= |first1= |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/popcorn-lung-chemical-gone-most-recipes-flna1c9463307 |work=[[NBC News]] |agency=Associated Press |date=December 17, 2007 |accessdate=October 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| work=[[USA Today]]| url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2007-09-05-popcorn-lung_N.htm| title=ConAgra to drop popcorn chemical linked to lung ailment| date=September 5, 2007| agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
=== 2007 ''Salmonella'' outbreak === In October 2007, Conagra asked stores to pull the [[Banquet Foods|Banquet]] and generic brand chicken and turkey pot pies due to 152 cases of ''Salmonella'' poisoning in 31 states being linked to the consumption of Conagra pot pies, with 20 people hospitalized. At that time, both the [[USDA]] and Conagra decided in favor of a consumer advisory and against a recall. ConAgra said the issue stemmed from pies not being cooked thoroughly in older microwaves, and that the package's heating instructions would be changed to reflect different microwaves.<ref>{{cite news| last=Funk| first=Josh| url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/economy/2007-10-10-3076742452_x.htm| title=ConAgra asks stores to quit selling pies| work=USA Today| date=October 11, 2007| access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> However, the plant in [[Marshall, Missouri|Marshall]], [[Missouri]], where the pot pies were manufactured closed on October 11 as well.<ref>{{cite news| title=ConAgra closes pot pie plant out of Salmonella concerns| url=http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/oct/09/conagra-closes-pot-pie-plant-out-salmonella-concer/| date=October 9, 2007| work=[[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]]| access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref>
By October 12, a full recall was announced, affecting all varieties of frozen pot pies sold under the brands Banquet, [[Albertsons (supermarket)|Albertson's]], [[Food Lion]], Great Value, [[H-E-B#Operations|Hill Country Fare]], [[Kirkland Signature|Kirkwood]], [[Kroger]], [[Meijer]], and [[Western Family]]. The recalled pot pies included all varieties in 7-oz. single-serving packages bearing the number P-9 or "Est. 1059" printed on the side of the package.<ref>{{cite news| title=ConAgra recalls all frozen pot pies| url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2007-10-11-conagra-pot-pies_N.htm| date= October 12, 2007| work=USA Today| first1= Elizabeth| last1=Weise| first2=Julie| last2=Schmit| access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> By October 14, 174 cases of ''Salmonella'' poisoning in 32 states were linked to consumption of the contaminated ConAgra pot pies, with 33 people hospitalized. Public interest groups criticized Conagra for the delay in issuing the recall, a decision which Conagra defended by saying the recall was a precaution. At the time of the recall, the USDA had still not identified the source of the ''Salmonella'' contamination.<ref>{{cite news| agency=Associated Press| title=Critics say ConAgra Foods mishandled pot pie recall, incident shows food safety system's flaws| url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/nation/20071014-1251-potpieproblem.html| date=October 14, 2007| work=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]| access-date=October 1, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003003119/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/nation/20071014-1251-potpieproblem.html| archive-date=October 3, 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref>
On October 17, the Colorado Department of Public Health reported that "An investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state public health departments involved a large cluster of illnesses caused by ''Salmonella'' that identified these products" and stated that, "Nationally, at least 211 individuals from 35 states have become ill." From January 1 through December 31, 2007, the CDC identified a total of 401 cases in 41 states.<ref>{{cite web| title=Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Associated with Frozen Pot Pies --- United States, 2007| url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5747a3.htm| publisher=CDC| date=November 28, 2008| access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> == See also == * [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the meat industry in the United States]] * [[2009 ConAgra Foods plant explosion|2009 ConAgra Foods Plant explosion]]
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== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}} *{{cite news |title=Key dates in Conagra Brands' 100-year history |last1= |first1= |url=https://omaha.com/business/key-dates-in-conagra-brands-100-year-history/article_d14e6bbe-3259-53af-8a00-91a5e3246e08.html |work=[[Omaha World Herald]] |date=October 6, 2019 |accessdate=March 22, 2023}} {{Finance links | name = ConAgra Foods | symbol = CAG | reuters = CAG.N | bloomberg = CAG:US | sec_cik = 23217 | yahoo = CAG | google = CAG:NYSE }} {{Portal bar|Food|Companies|Chicago|Illinois|United States}} {{ConAgra}} {{Illinois Corporations}} {{S&P 500 companies}} {{Authority control|state=expanded}}
[[Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange]] [[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1919]] [[Category:1919 establishments in Nebraska]] [[Category:Conagra Brands| ]] [[Category:Food recalls]] [[Category:Food manufacturers of the United States]] [[Category:Condiment companies of the United States]] [[Category:Multinational food companies]] [[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in the United States]] [[Category:Meat companies of the United States]]