Mondelez International, Inc.
MDLZ
Consumer Staples
4
exclusion reasons
3 themes
Mondelez International, Inc. is screened out under 4 exclusion reasons spanning 3 issue categories.
This page is part of our public exclusion list — a transparency tool that shows which companies we screen out and why. It is not investment advice, and it is not an accusation. It is a statement of values.
Mondelez International faces a class action lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing of its Clif Bar product as "climate neutral." The complaint, filed in February 2025, accuses the company of greenwashing by making an unqualified, general environmental claim that cannot be substantiated, thereby deceiving consumers into overpaying for the product. While a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in October 2025, the allegations center on the use of carbon offsets to support the claim, a practice critics argue allows companies to overstate their climate progress without making substantial operational changes to reduce emissions. This legal challenge highlights the risk of misleading climate marketing in the absence of clear, standardized regulations for such claims.
Mondelez International faces a class action lawsuit alleging its “Cocoa Life” sustainability program falsely markets cocoa sourcing as free from child labor. The complaint, filed in U.S. federal court in early 2024, accuses the company of deceptive labeling on its products, misleading consumers about the conditions in its supply chain. This legal action follows a 2023 investigation by Britain’s Channel 4, which documented child labor on farms in Ghana supplying cocoa for Mondelez.
As one of the world’s largest snack companies, with brands like Cadbury and Oreo, Mondelez is a major buyer of cocoa. The lawsuit centers on the company’s own “Cocoa Life” marketing, which promises to “protect children” and source sustainably. The plaintiffs allege these representations are untrue, citing the documented presence of child labor in its supply chain as evidence the program is failing.
Break Free From Plastic Brand Audit 2023 (Feb 2024) — Rank #5 global plastic polluter; top brand in Asia regional audit; brand users category (snack/confectionery packaging).
Mondelez International is a global food and beverage manufacturer. The company is excluded under the animal_exploitation_meat category, which applies to companies deriving significant revenue from the sale of meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, or eggs. A specific revenue breakdown for animal-derived products within Mondelez's portfolio is not currently documented in our evidence review. Further research is required to quantify the scale and materiality of this exposure.
Research Sources
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