33 quintessentially 'British' brands that are not really British

REUTERS/Phil Noble

British brands are appreciated around the world for their quality and heritage. 

Many of them, though, are also owned by foreigners.

For some "British" brands, it's well-known they have foreign owners. Many people are aware that Harrods was bought by Qatar Holdings in 2010, and before that it was owned by the Fayed brothers of Egypt.

But others are more discreet about their proprietors. Occasionally Brits even fight for their companies to stay in British hands, like when MPs went to bat against Kraft's takeover of Cadbury in 2011.

Stefano Pozzebon compiled the earlier version of this report.

HP is the famous brown sauce of the Houses of Parliament (hence the name). Nevertheless, it is owned by Americans: Heinz purchased it in 2005.

House of Fraser is owned by the Sanpower Group, a Chinese corporation that bought it in 2014 for £450 million ($716 million). Before that it was owned by the Icelandic group Baugur.

What could be more British than Sarsons vinegar on a plate of fish and chips? A Japanese vinegar manufacturer, Mizkan, bought Sarsons in 2012 for £41 million ($66 million).