One of the food industry’s titans is hanging up her Oreo-encrusted crown

Irene Rosenfeld to step down as CEO of Mondelez -- yet another sign that junk food’s in the tank thanks to newly health-conscious US consumers.

Irene Rosenfeld will be stepping down this week as CEO of Mondelez Foods.

One of the food industry’s titans is hanging up her Oreo-encrusted crown

You probably haven’t heard her name before, but you’ve certainly enjoyed the snacks her company’s produced over the years: Oreos, Wheat Thins, and Ritz crackers.

Rosenfeld is one of the big dogs of the processed food business — and her departure is yet another sign that junk food’s in the tank as Americans shift toward more health-conscious options.

Who is she?

Over the course of a 36-year run in the “big food” industry, Rosenfeld established herself as one of the most powerful women in business.

After a brief stint as the CEO of Frito-Lay, she became CEO of Kraft Foods in 2006. Four years later, she led a hostile takeover of British chocolate company Cadbury, then, in 2012, restructured Kraft into the internationally-focused Mondelez International.

Over the course of her career, she raked in $231m and mentored a number of other high-profile CEOs, including the chiefs at Campbell’s Soup, Hershey, and PF Chang’s.

What’s her departure mean?

It’s a signifier that we’re slowly shifting our dietary habits toward more health-conscious options.

Numerous studies and surveys show that American’s are seeking out healthier foods and are willing to pay more for them.

Mondelez spent more than a decade peddling cookies and chips, but with chia seeds becoming the new after-school snack for a generation, her sayonara is just another sign of the changing times.

But, hey, you can’t say she didn’t have a good run.

Get the 5-minute news brief keeping 2.5M+ innovators in the loop. Always free. 100% fresh. No bullsh*t.