Is Kroger ethical?

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Labor & working conditions Confirmed Against

Kroger's human rights partner certified Mexican berry farms with forced labor reports

Ethical Food Initiative, Kroger's human rights partner, certified Mexican berry farms despite worker reports of abusive practices that constitute forced labor, and the voluntary scheme was found to mask violations, hinder worker voice, and enable retaliation.

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sec.gov
However, where abusive conditions are systemic, as is the case in agriculture, voluntary CSR regimes and social audits often fail to address persistent rights abuses.3 Kroger’s human rights partner, Ethical Food Initiative, certified berry farms in Mexico despite workers describing abusive practices that constitute forced labor, and the voluntary scheme was found to mask violations, hinder worker voice, and enable retaliation against workers.4

Corporate conduct Recall Against

Kroger recalls meat products for lead levels

Kroger recalled meat products due to concerns about lead levels.

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yahoo.com
According to the Miami Herald, Kroger and other companies previously recalled a meat products over concerns about lead levels.

Community investment Confirmed In favor

Kroger donates 455M meals for hunger relief

Kroger donated 455 million meals for local hunger relief.

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downloads.regulations.gov
In 2023, Kroger donated a total of $329 million to our communities in food and funds combined, including $256 million to hunger relief.
$329M in total charitable giving for our communities 455M meals donated for local hunger relief 50K+ associates have been with Kroger 10 years or more Our ApproachIntroduction Planet 2024 Kroger ESG Report 19AppendixGovernancePeople

Corporate conduct Recall Against

Kroger recalls 19 million eggs over health risk

Kroger recalled 19 million eggs due to a serious health risk.

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finance.yahoo.com
Kroger hit by 19 million egg recall over serious health risk

Labor & working conditions Confirmed Against

Kroger buys tomatoes from forced labor farm

Kroger bought tomatoes from a Mexican farm under a U.S. government Withhold Release Order due to forced labor concerns.

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business-humanrights.org
In 2021, an investigation from the LA Times revealed Kroger to be buying tomatoes from a Mexican farm subject to a Withhold Release Order (WRO) from the U.S. Government due to findings related to forced labor, and in early 2023, the Department of Labor publicly outed Kroger as a buyer of watermelons harvested by modern-day slaves...
As if one instance of modern-day slavery uncovered in its supply chain weren’t enough to motivate a meaningful conversation about the need to get serious about monitoring and enforcing human rights standards in its suppliers’ operations, this marks the third time in the past four years alone that Kroger has been linked to a forced labor operation when there is a ready-made, proven and highly-regarded solution standing right in front of Kroger: the Fair Food Program.

LGBTQ+ policies Confirmed You decide

Kroger will begin offering transgender health coverage

Kroger will begin offering transgender employees full health insurance coverage for gender transition services starting next year.

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wcpo.com
CINCINNATI — Kroger will begin offering transgender employees full health insurance coverage for services related to gender transition starting next year, the Journal-News reported Wednesday.

Labor & working conditions Allegation Against

Kroger is accused of cheating workers out of overtime pay

Kroger is accused of using bogus management jobs to cheat workers out of overtime pay since 2020.

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fox19.com
Court documents in multiple jurisdictions show that Kroger and its many banner subsidiaries are currently or have recently been accused of using bogus management jobs to cheat workers out of overtime pay since 2020:
Kroger sued for cheating on overtime, ‘retail’s dirty little secret’

Corporate conduct Recall Against

Kroger recalls 1.6M dozen eggs over salmonella risk

Kroger recalled nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs sold at its and other stores due to potential salmonella contamination.

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people.com
Nearly 1.6M Dozen Eggs Sold at Kroger and Other Stores Recalled due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Corporate conduct Recall Against

Kroger recalls pasta salads due to possible Listeria contamination

Kroger recalled Deli Pasta Salads sold nationwide over a possible Listeria contamination risk.

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newsweek.com
Kroger Deli Pasta Salads (Basil Pesto Bowtie, Smoked Mozzarella Penne) recalled October 2, 2025: Sold nationwide (Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Texas, Louisiana), possible Listeria contamination.

Corporate conduct Recall Against

Kroger recalls Food Lion meals for metal contamination

Kroger recalled Food Lion meals due to possible metal contamination.

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web.archive.org
More: Kroger, Food Lion meals recalled over possible metal contamination
newsweek.com
Kenz Henz Natural Eggs, recalled October 22, 2025: Affects Kroger stores located in Texas and Louisiana.
Kroger/Associated Peach Products (various kinds, including Snowfruit, Supreme Produce, KRO Peaches Pouch Bag, Moonlight), recalled October 30–November 3, 2025: Multiple brands and stores, possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

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