TUC Original crackers

TUC (Trade Union Corporation) is a globally recognized brand of savory, octagonal crackers famous for their light, crispy texture and golden-yellow color. The brand was originally created in 1958 by Louis Parein in Belgium. Inspired by American cracker manufacturing techniques he studied in the United States, Parein returned to Antwerp to launch the brand under his family-owned confectionery company. The name 'TUC' was reportedly chosen after Parein saw the initials for 'Trade Union Corporation' in a newspaper headline.

Over the decades, the brand's ownership evolved through major industry acquisitions. In 1977, the Parein company was acquired by the French biscuit giant LU (Lefebvre-Utile). In 2007, LU was purchased by Kraft Foods as part of Danone's biscuit division sale. Following the 2012 corporate split of Kraft Foods, TUC became a flagship snack brand under Mondelez International. Today, while manufacturing is largely centered in Belgium, the products are also produced in various regional facilities to serve local markets, including Germany and the United Kingdom.