Horizon Organic
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Organic food, Dairy products |
| Founded | 1991 in Boulder, Colorado, United States |
| Headquarters | Maryland , United States |
Area served | North America |
| Products | Organic milk and other organic food items |
| Owner | Platinum Equity (since 2024) |
Horizon Organic is a U.S.-based enterprise specializing in the production of organic milk and various other organic food items. Recognized as the foremost provider of organic milk throughout North America, its products are extensively stocked in grocery outlets and supermarkets.
Established in 1991, Horizon manufactures organic milk primarily in Maryland and obtains over 99% of its supply from a network of more than 700 dairy farms spanning 23 states. All offerings carry USDA organic certification and are promoted as free from antibiotics, growth hormones, and chemical pesticides.
Prior to its acquisition by Dean Foods in 2004, Horizon operated as a publicly traded company with ownership of brands including Juniper Valley Farms, The Organic Cow of Vermont, and the UK-based Rachel's Organic. On April 2, 2024, the global investment firm Platinum Equity finalized the acquisition of a controlling interest in Horizon Organic.
History
Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1991, Horizon expanded its distribution nationwide by 1994. The company went public in 1998 before being purchased by Dean Foods. In 2006, Horizon encountered a boycott initiated by the Organic Consumers Association due to alleged breaches of organic standards, specifically concerning the amount of pasture access provided to dairy cows. This controversy led some retailers, such as Seattle’s PCC Natural Markets, to remove Horizon products from their shelves.
In 2009, Dean Foods faced litigation from dairy farmers accusing the company of monopolistic practices within the Southeastern United States. Addressing industry apprehensions, Horizon released its "Organic Standards of Care" in 2010, detailing protocols for animal welfare and dairy production.
In 2013, WhiteWave Foods, Horizon’s parent company at the time, separated from Dean Foods to become an independent entity. Subsequently, in April 2017, French multinational Danone acquired WhiteWave for $10.4 billion, creating DanoneWave.
Following a PETA investigation in 2023 that exposed animal welfare concerns at one of its supplying farms, Horizon discontinued sourcing from that particular farm.
By 2024, Platinum Equity had secured majority ownership of Horizon Organic, initiating a new chapter in the company’s governance and strategic focus.