Episode 5: Danone. Expulsion of the Jews. A story of survival.

Synopsis:

In this episode of Business Stories and Legends, we explore the incredible and little-known story of how one of the world's most famous dairy products, Danone yogurt, has deep roots in the history of the Sephardic community, which was expelled from Spain in 1492. We discover how the expulsion of the Jews brought with it the spread of essential medical and food knowledge, including fermentation, which centuries later would be the basis of Danone. The story connects with the Carasso family, a Sephardic family who, after going through conflict and migration, gave birth to a global brand. All this and more in a journey through history, culture and yogurt.

The Exile of the Sephardic Jews and the Knowledge of Fermentation

The story begins in 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs ordered the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, a decision that would forever change the culture and economy of the peninsula. With this order, thousands of Sephardic Jews were forced to abandon their homes and lands. Many of them fled to the Mediterranean and the Middle East, taking with them their knowledge, traditions and a unique vision of health and medicine that included food practices such as fermentation. Despite being a forced exile, this diaspora led to a cultural mix that resulted in the exchange of much knowledge. Among this knowledge was that of food fermentation, considered fundamental in Sephardic culture, especially in relation to fermented dairy products, such as yogurt. These products were used not only for their nutritional qualities, but also as remedies for digestive problems, a knowledge that centuries later would be rediscovered and commercially exploited.

This knowledge of fermentation was passed down through the generations, and although yogurt was not common in Western Europe at the time, its use as a “medicinal food” was adopted in places where Sephardic Jews settled. For many, this practice of dairy fermentation became a symbol of cultural identity and resistance, a legacy that they kept alive over the years, until it reached a new peak with the arrival of industrialization in the 20th century.

Isaac Carasso and the Danone Foundation

Fast forward to the 20th century, when Isaac Carasso, a Sephardic Jew from Thessaloniki in Greece, arrived in Barcelona. With a strong sense of cultural heritage, Carasso was inspired by his ancestors’ family tradition and decided to undertake a project that would change the food industry: producing yogurt on a large scale. In 1919, in the aftermath of World War I and in the midst of a Europe in crisis, Isaac sought to create an accessible and healthy product. For many children at the time, digestive problems were common, and yogurt became a highly valued remedy. With the help of a loving nickname he gave to his son, Daniel, he founded the company Danone, which is derived from “Danón,” the diminutive of Daniel in Ladino, the language of the Sephardic Jews.

Despite the difficulties of the time, Danone quickly established itself. Initially, Carasso prepared yogurt in an artisanal way and sold its first products in pharmacies. This strategy positioned it as a healthy and medicinal food, and it gained popularity among the people of Barcelona. Furthermore, Danone was not only Isaac's project; his son Daniel played a fundamental role in the expansion of the brand to other countries, especially to France and then to the United States, making yogurt a well-known product in the Western world.

Danone's Expansion in a Context of Wars and Crises

Danone was much more than just a food company; it became a symbol of resilience for the Carasso family. The company survived six wars, including the Spanish Civil War and World War II. During the Civil War, the Carasso family was forced to leave Spain and move to France, where Daniel Carasso, now an adult, continued to expand the business and popularized yogurt consumption in Europe. In the midst of World War II, the Carassos faced difficult times, especially when France was occupied by the Nazis, forcing them to emigrate again, this time to New York. It was in the United States that Danone experienced unprecedented growth, adapting yogurt to American tastes and revolutionizing the perception of the product as something “cool” and healthy.

Despite the conflicts, the family remained faithful to its vision and commitment to the Sephardic legacy. Danone grew from a small business in a pharmacy in Barcelona to a world-renowned brand. The key to its success was its ability to adapt to different contexts and cultures, as well as its focus on health and nutrition, concepts that it had inherited from the Sephardic tradition. In France, for example, Danone's campaign promoted yogurt as a healthy and nutritious option, and in the United States, the brand introduced new flavor variants to appeal to the American public.

Sephardic Heritage and its Impact on Danone’s Corporate Culture

anone is not just a brand; it is a testament to Sephardic cultural heritage, a story of exile, adaptation and resistance. For the Carassos, their company was not just about business; it was a way to preserve and share the tradition of their people, a tradition that had begun centuries ago in the kitchens and food practices of Sephardic Jews. In some ways, the culture of innovation and health that Danone promotes today has its roots in that holistic vision of health and well-being that his ancestors carried with them since medieval times. Isaac Carasso’s decision to start the business in a pharmacy was no coincidence: yogurt was, for him, a remedy, and its production, an act of respect for his heritage.

Danone’s corporate culture continues to have this focus on health and nutrition, aligning itself with the idea that food can be a tool for well-being. Over time, Danone has expanded into other products, but its origin story continues to resonate in its mission. Through social responsibility campaigns and health projects, the company has kept alive the idea that food can transform lives, a philosophy that stems from its founding as a “cure” for digestive problems.

Final Reflections: Danone as a Symbol of Resistance and Overcoming

The story of Danone is much more than a brand of yogurt on a supermarket shelf. It is a story of cultural resilience and overcoming difficult times. Through wars, exiles and transformations, the Carasso family kept alive a legacy that connects the history of Sephardic Jews with modern health and food culture. Danone is, at its core, proof of how a tradition can adapt and evolve over time, overcoming the obstacles of history.

The next time you open a Danone yogurt, remember that you are enjoying a product that carries with it a story of survival, resilience and adaptation that dates back to the time of the expulsion of the Jews in 1492.