Kraft Foods Inc. announced plans to change its corporate name to Mondelēz International, Inc. “Mondelēz” (pronounced mohn-dah-LEEZ’) is a newly coined word that evokes the idea of “delicious world.” “Monde” derives from the Latin word for “world,” and “delēz” is a fanciful expression of “delicious.” In addition, “International” captures the global nature of the business.

Photo: Kraft Foods logo

As previously announced, Kraft Foods is dividing to create two industry-leading public companies before the end of 2012: a high-growth global snacks business and a high-margin North American grocery business. The North American grocery company will become Kraft Foods Group, Inc., retaining the Kraft brand for its corporate identity and as the brand for many of its consumer products. As a result, the global snacks company will require a new name when it launches later this year.

Last fall, the company invited employees from around the world to suggest names for the new global snacks company. As part of this co-creation process, more than 1,000 employees participated, submitting more than 1,700 names for consideration. Mondelēz International was inspired by separate suggestions from two employees, one in Europe and another in North America.

The Board of Directors has approved and will submit an amendment to the company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation for shareholder approval at the company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 23, 2012. If shareholders approve the amendment, the company expects the new name to become effective when the global snacks company launches before the end of 2012.

Until the new companies launch, however, the name and stock trading symbol for Kraft Foods Inc. will not change. In addition, the name change will not in any way affect the validity or transferability of any currently outstanding stock certificates, and the company will not ask shareholders to surrender for exchange any Kraft Foods Inc. certificates presently held by them.