PepsiCo
Flagged · AvoidSourced illegally grown palm oil from a protected rainforest reserve, and faces lawsuits over plastic pollution and charges of retaliating against union organizers.
Last updated October 5, 2026
Reasons to avoid
Issues span:LaborEnvironmentTax
Fired blind worker, denied accommodations
The EEOC sued PepsiCo Beverage Sales after it hired a blind employee in 2022 and then fired him without providing reasonable workplace accommodations. PepsiCo paid $270,000 in April 2026 and agreed to a two-year consent decree requiring accessible software and staff training.Sued over deceptive plastic recycling promotion
Los Angeles County sued PepsiCo and Coca-Cola in October 2024 for their role in the plastic pollution crisis, alleging the companies deceived the public for decades by promoting plastic recycling as a solution while knowing most plastic is never actually recycled. The lawsuit alleges PepsiCo's plastic products accumulate and contaminate the county's land and water, breaking down into microplastics that enter the air, food, and drinking water.Accused of retaliating against union organizers
Teamster locals in three states filed unfair labor practice charges against Pepsi in April 2024, alleging the company illegally threatened, interrogated, and retaliated against workers who sought union representation at bottling and distribution facilities. The Teamsters called the charges part of a broader pattern of Pepsi using aggressive tactics to suppress organizing efforts across its U.S. operations.Sued over Buffalo River plastic pollution
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a first-of-its-kind state lawsuit against PepsiCo in November 2023 after a 2022 investigation found PepsiCo-branded plastic was by far the largest source of plastic waste clogging the Buffalo River and its tributaries. The contamination is breaking down into microplastics that have entered Buffalo's water supply and the fish that residents eat, with researchers warning the chemicals in microplastics may cause cancer and reproductive harm.Protected-reserve palm oil entered supply chain
A Mongabay investigation published in March 2023 found that illegal palm oil from the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve, a nationally protected Indonesian rainforest home to critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, was making its way into PepsiCo's supply chain through commodity traders. The deforestation hit a record high in 2022 despite PepsiCo publicly committing to a no-deforestation palm oil policy since 2019.
Brands owned by PepsiCo
- Frito-Lay
- Lay's
- Doritos
- Cheetos
- Tostitos
- Fritos
- Ruffles
- Rold Gold
- SunChips
- Smartfood
- Quaker
- Cap'n Crunch
- Rice-A-Roni
- Gatorade
- Mountain Dew
- Aquafina
- Bubly
- Propel
- SodaStream
- Rockstar Energy
- Muscle Milk
- Stacy's
Source: sec.gov (as of 2026-08-10)
Ethical alternatives
Snacks
Barnana
Upcycled banana snacks reducing food waste and supporting regenerative agriculture.
✅ B-Corp♻️ Fights Food Waste
Visit →Local Farmers Markets
Replace processed snacks with fresh, local fruits and vegetables.
📍 Local Business👩🌾 Farmer Direct
Beverages
Yerba Madre
Regenerative organic yerba mate brand (formerly Guayakí), certified B Corp and Fair Trade.
✅ B-Corp🌿 Organic🤝 Fair Trade
Visit →
Zevia
Zero-calorie soda made with natural ingredients and better sustainability practices.
🌿 Natural♻️ Sustainable
Visit →Reusable Water Bottle
Skip the bottled drinks entirely—better for you and the planet.
♻️ Sustainable🌿 Zero Waste
Visit →
Common questions
- Is PepsiCo ethical?
- Los Angeles County sued PepsiCo in October 2024 for deceiving the public for decades about plastic recycling while its products continued to pollute land and water with microplastics. New York's Attorney General sued PepsiCo after finding its branded plastic was the largest source of pollution clogging the Buffalo River, with microplastics entering the city's drinking water supply and fish that residents eat.
- Why are people boycotting PepsiCo?
- Plastic pollution, illegal deforestation, and union-busting are the most cited reasons. A Mongabay investigation found illegal palm oil from a protected Indonesian orangutan habitat was entering PepsiCo's supply chain despite a public no-deforestation commitment. Teamsters in three states filed unfair labor practice charges in April 2024 alleging PepsiCo threatened and retaliated against workers who sought union representation.
- What are the best ethical alternatives to PepsiCo?
- Olipop is a healthier soda alternative made with plant fiber and prebiotics. Yerba Madre (formerly Guayakí) is a B Corp certified, Fair Trade organic beverage with regenerative sourcing. For snacks, Barnana uses upcycled bananas to reduce food waste.
- What brands does PepsiCo own?
- PepsiCo owns dozens of well known food and drink brands beyond its namesake cola. Frito-Lay snacks like Lay's, Doritos, and Cheetos are PepsiCo brands, as are Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream.
Know of a documented reason we're missing?