Mars
Flagged · AvoidThe family-owned maker of M&M's, Snickers, Skittles, and Wrigley gum, and the largest owner of veterinary clinics and pet food brands in the United States.
Last updated June 18, 2026
↓ Skip to 6 ethical alternativesReasons to avoid
Issues span:Human RightsAntitrustEnvironment
- A 2023 CBS News investigation, reported by CNBC, found children in Ghana harvesting the cocoa used in Mars products like M&M's and Snickers, despite the company's pledge to end child labor in its supply chain by 2025. Field supervisors said they regularly falsified paperwork to claim the children were attending school rather than working in the fields.
- By 2024 Mars owned nearly half of all corporate-owned veterinary clinics in the US through chains like Banfield, VCA, and BluePearl, prompting a US Senate investigation into whether its dominance raises prices for pet owners. The senators warned that Mars's control of clinics, diagnostic labs, and roughly 50 pet food brands lets it steer customers toward its own products at higher cost.
- Mars chose to keep selling chocolate, gum, and pet food in Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, even as many Western consumer brands suspended operations. Bloomberg reporting found the company's profit in Russia rose 58% in 2022, to about 27 billion rubles or roughly 294 million dollars.
- Mars ranked as the sixth-largest corporate plastic polluter in the world in Break Free From Plastic's 2023 global brand audit, which catalogued plastic waste collected by volunteers across 41 countries. The company has appeared among the top ten plastic polluters every year the audit has been conducted, despite repeated packaging pledges.
Ethical alternatives
Chocolate & Snacks
Divine Chocolate
The only Fairtrade chocolate company co-owned by the cocoa farmers themselves. The Kuapa Kokoo cooperative of 100,000+ farmers in Ghana owns 44% of the company and receives a share of profits.
✅ B-Corp🤝 Fair Trade👩🌾 Farmer Owned
Visit →
Alter Eco
B Corp certified chocolate bars and truffles made with Fair Trade, USDA Organic, and Climate Neutral ingredients. Works with smallholder farming cooperatives and uses compostable packaging.
✅ B-Corp🤝 Fair Trade🌿 Organic♻️ Sustainable
Visit →Local Chocolate Shops
Find an independent chocolatier or candy shop near you.
📍 Local Business
Pet Food
Open Farm
Independent, B Corp certified pet food made with humanely raised, ethically sourced ingredients and full supply-chain transparency.
✅ B-Corp
Visit →Local Pet Supply Stores
Find an independently owned pet supply store near you.
📍 Local Business
Veterinary Care
Independent Vet Clinics
Find an independently owned veterinary clinic near you.
📍 Local Business
Common Questions
- Is Mars ethical?
- A 2023 CBS News investigation found children harvesting the cocoa used in Mars products like M&M's and Snickers in Ghana, despite the company's pledge to end child labor by 2025. Mars also kept operating in Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, where its profit rose 58% that year, and it ranks among the world's top ten corporate plastic polluters.
- Why are people boycotting Mars?
- Child labor in its cocoa supply chain is the most cited reason, alongside its decision to keep selling products in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Mars has also drawn scrutiny for owning nearly half of all corporate-owned US veterinary clinics, which a Senate investigation warned could raise prices for pet owners.
- What are the best ethical alternatives to Mars?
- Divine Chocolate is co-owned by the cocoa farmers who supply it, and Alter Eco makes B Corp certified Fair Trade organic chocolate. For pets, Open Farm is a B Corp certified pet food brand, and you can search for an independently owned vet clinic near you instead of a Mars-owned chain.