Kraft's Rosenfeld second in Forbes' power women list

Irene Rosenfeld is the boss of one of the world's biggest food companies

The chief executive of Kraft Foods, Irene Rosenfeld, has been named as the world's second most powerful woman.

Ms Rosenfeld came second in Forbes magazine's annual rankings of the world's most powerful women, beaten only by US first lady Michelle Obama.

As the head of Kraft, she presides over one of the world's biggest food companies.

She is among three chief executives featured in the top 10 most powerful women.

The others are Indra Nooyi, the head of beverage giant PepsiCo, and Gail Kelly, chief executive of Australian bank Westpac.

Ms Rosenfeld has been the head of Kraft since 2006, having worked in the food and beverage industry for the previous 25 years.

Britons make list

Her profile in the UK was boosted by Kraft's takeover of chocolate maker Cadbury earlier this year.

The acquisition was part of Ms Rosenfeld's three-year plan to boost Kraft's profits.

Three UK businesswomen made the Forbes top 100, with Cynthia Carroll, boss of the mining giant Anglo American, the highest placed at number 14.

Marjorie Scardino, head of media and publishing firm Pearson, is in at number 63, while the chief executive of Burberry, Angela Ahrendts, is 97th.