A 2024 class action lawsuit alleged that Mondelez pays cocoa farmers as little as $3 per day, forcing reliance on child and forced labor, while labeling products as sustainably sourced. That same year, the European Commission fined Mondelez €337.5 million for 22 anticompetitive agreements that kept consumer prices artificially high across the EU.

Why are people boycotting Mondelez?

Child labor in the cocoa supply chain is the most cited reason, with a 2024 lawsuit alleging the company knowingly profits from exploitative farming conditions while mislabeling products. Mondelez also continued operating in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and was placed on Ukraine's official sponsors of war list in 2023.

What are the best ethical alternatives to Mondelez?

Divine Chocolate is the only Fairtrade chocolate company co-owned by its cocoa farmers, with the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative holding a 44% stake. Alter Eco makes B Corp certified, Fair Trade organic chocolate bars and truffles with compostable packaging. You can also search for an independent chocolatier near you.

Mondelez

Flagged · Avoid

The maker of Oreo, Cadbury, Toblerone, and dozens of other household snack brands, with a documented record of child labor in its cocoa supply chain and a nine-figure antitrust fine from European regulators.

Last updated June 16, 2026

Reasons to avoid

Issues span:Human RightsAntitrustEnvironment

A 2024 class action lawsuit alleged that Mondelez pays cocoa farmers as little as $3 per day, forcing them to rely on child and forced labor, while falsely labeling its products as "100% sustainable" and "certified." The complaint stated that Mondelez knows its sourcing practices perpetuate child labor and child slavery yet markets products with phony sustainability seals.classaction.org2024-01-31
In May 2024, the European Commission fined Mondelez €337.5 million for engaging in 22 anticompetitive agreements between 2006 and 2020 that blocked cross-border sales of its chocolates, biscuits, and coffee products across EU member states. The Commission found the practices kept consumer prices artificially high and constituted an abuse of Mondelez's dominant market position.ec.europa.eu2024-05-23
Mondelez continued operating three factories in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and was added to Ukraine's official "international sponsors of war" list in May 2023. The company later quietly deleted public statements it had made pledging to scale back Russian operations, prompting shareholder proposals calling for greater transparency about its business in conflict zones.chicagobusiness.com2025-01-23
A 2025 report by Dutch environmental nonprofit AidEnvironment found that forest clearance linked to Mondelez's cocoa and palm oil supply chains was ongoing, citing "systemic weaknesses" including untraceable sourcing. Mondelez was also linked to sourcing palm oil from Brazilian suppliers connected to forced displacement and community rights violations.just-food.com2025-12-16

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

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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

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Tony's Chocolonely

Slave-free chocolate made by a company founded specifically to end child labor in cocoa. Farmers in their supply chain are tracked individually and paid living wages.

🤝 Fair Trade🌱 Ethically Sourced

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Local Chocolate Shops

Find an independent chocolatier or candy shop near you.

📍 Local Business

Common Questions

Is Mondelez ethical?: A 2024 class action lawsuit alleged that Mondelez pays cocoa farmers as little as $3 per day, forcing reliance on child and forced labor, while labeling products as sustainably sourced. That same year, the European Commission fined Mondelez €337.5 million for 22 anticompetitive agreements that kept consumer prices artificially high across the EU.
Why are people boycotting Mondelez?: Child labor in the cocoa supply chain is the most cited reason, with a 2024 lawsuit alleging the company knowingly profits from exploitative farming conditions while mislabeling products. Mondelez also continued operating in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and was placed on Ukraine's official sponsors of war list in 2023.
What are the best ethical alternatives to Mondelez?: Divine Chocolate is the only Fairtrade chocolate company co-owned by its cocoa farmers, with the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative holding a 44% stake. Alter Eco makes B Corp certified, Fair Trade organic chocolate bars and truffles with compostable packaging. You can also search for an independent chocolatier near you.