OSEM

Founded in 1942 as a food marketing company, in 1946, the company built its first factory in Bnei Brak. It originally produced noodles and ptitim, an imitation of Sardinian fregula. In 1964, Osem's snack factory was founded in Holon, and the company's main product was created - the peanut butter-flavoured Bamba. In 1970, the company started producing baked food in addition to introducing the Bissli snacks, which come in several flavours such as falafel, mesquite, BBQ, pizza, and onion. Osem also... produces soup powders which now markets MSG-free versions of its soup mixes under a green label as opposed to the traditional red one. The company's main factory was built in 1976 in Petah Tikva, in which the company's administration offices, distribution centre, and the sauce factory are now found. Osem has acquired several smaller food companies and expanded their product lines, such as Froumine, Argal Bakery Shop, and Magdanot HaBait factory (where the cakes production line is found). In 1995, Osem started to market Nestlé's products. Among these are coffee, chocolate, and breakfast cereals.[citation needed] In 1995 Nestlé also acquired 10% of Osem's shares, followed by an additional 41% in 1997. All Osem products produced in Israel are produced under the kosher supervision of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and many are certified by the Edah HaChareidis, as well. In August 2015, Israel's Health Ministry ruled that Heinz Tomato Ketchup does not contain enough tomato solids to qualify as ketchup and must be referred to as "tomato seasoning. Osem, a rival ketchup manufacturer, had Heinz' product tested and found that it only contained 21% tomato concentrate; regulations in Israel require that it contain at least 41%. Osem successfully petitioned the government to force Heinz to change the Hebrew labelling on their ketchup. The ruling does not affect the English language labelling.More