Danone founder dies

FRANCE – Founder and former chief executive of food group Danone Antoine Riboud died at his home in Paris on Sunday.

In a statement, Danone vice-chairman David Weill said: “Antoine is proof that a man with ideas, a strong personality and enthusiasm can turn a group of people in to a flourishing company.” In 1973 Riboud merged his glassware company with dairy company Gervais Danone, creating the biggest food group in France. In 1981, Danone pulled out of glassware to concentrate on European expansion in the food industry.

Riboud, who retired in 1996, was 83 and had been ill for some time.