Nutrition & Health
We offer tasty, healthier and trusted food
Who we are
GBfoods Europe at a glance
2024 turnover
1 bn
Number of employees approx
1800
Nationality representation
+ 40
Gender equity in management positions
42 %
Our Sustainability Journey
Our heritage
Our History
Our story begins in 1937 when Lluís Carulla founded Gallina Blanca in Barcelona. In the midst of the Spanish Civil War, he revolutionized cooking with bouillon cubes, an affordable and convenient way to bring protein and nourishment to families.
In 1954, Gallina Blanca introduced Avecrem, which offered improved bouillon cubes. Backed by bold innovation and iconic campaigns through radio, television, and cinema, Avecrem soon became a household name across Spain and paved the way for new products such as instant soups.
The 1970s marked a bold new era as Gallina Blanca became one of the first Spanish companies to establish operations in Africa by exporting its bouillon cubes. Its success led to the creation of Jumbo, a brand tailored to local taste. This milestone made international expansion a central part of our identity.
In 2000, we entered the dry pasta market by acquiring El Pavo, a pioneer brand founded in 1898, industrially producing cannelloni pasta in Spain. Combining tradition with convenience, El Pavo quickly became a trusted companion in Spanish kitchens.
The acquisition of the Italian brand Star in 2007 marked a turning point. Founded in 1948 by the Fossati family, Star mirrored Gallina Blanca’s story, revolutionizing Italian cooking with its famous broth cube and later expanding into sauces, teas, and ready meals. Grand’Italia, founded by the same family in 1983, brought the essence of Italian cuisine to Dutch homes with pasta, sauces, and pesto.
In 2013, we embraced innovation with Yatekomo in Spain and Saikebon in Italy, entering the fast-growing noodle category with fun, quick, and modern formats. Since then, the portfolio has grown with brands such as Aïki in Belgium, Daisuki in France, and Mrs. Cheng’s in the Nordics. Today, noodles stand as one of our core growth platforms, reaching new consumers with fresh and innovative meal solutions.
In 2019, we expanded further by acquiring Continental Foods, adding iconic local brands across Europe. These include Liebig, a beloved natural soup brand in France and Belgium; Devos & Lemmens, Belgium’s legendary condiment leader; Erasco, Germany’s trusted name in soups and ready meals; and Blå Band, a Nordic household essential, among others. Together, these brands enriched our portfolio and strengthened our European footprint.
In 2025, we made the strategic decision to separate from our Africa operations and proudly stand as GBfoods Europe, focusing exclusively on our European business. Today, our iconic brands delight consumers across 8 countries, reaching over 110 million households. We honour our heritage in the region while shaping the future of food.
Some highlights
16/12/2025
La Capital CF, the team led by rising FC Barcelona and Spanish national star Lamine Yamal and fronted by popular streamer La Cobra, announced Yatekomo as a main sponsor (June’25). The iconic Noodles brand was supporting one of the most dynamic and media-savvy teams in the league.
08/12/2025
Saikebon, the leading instant noodle brand, is launching more than a campaign.
19/11/2025
The real deal for all your dishes. Now also plant-based.