Is PepsiCo ethical?

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Ukraine & Russia Confirmed You decide

PepsiCo makes money in Russia funding war

PepsiCo continues material operations in Russia and helps fund the war.

1 sourceRead sources
euromaidanpress.com
PepsiCo still making money in Russia—and helping fund war

LGBTQ+ policies Confirmed You decide

PepsiCo, Inc. provides health benefits to employees who suffer gender dysphoria

The documented action involving PepsiCo, Inc. concerns gender dysphoria.

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sec.gov
SUPPORTING STATEMENT: PepsiCo, Inc. (“Company”) provides health benefits to employees who suffer gender dysphoria/ confusion, and who seek medical, chemical, and/or surgical treatments to aid their “transition” to their non-biological sex.3 The Company boasts about its 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and HRC’s designation as a “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality,” and has “made a series of benefit coverage enhancements that align with the clinical guidelines outlined in the World Professional Association of Transgender Health Standards of Care.”4

Workplace equity Settlement Against

PepsiCo settles disability discrimination lawsuit

PepsiCo agreed to pay $270,000 and work with an accessibility consultant to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

1 sourceRead sources
eeoc.gov
PepsiCo to Pay $270,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
– PepsiCo Beverage Sales, LLC, a Delaware company operating a facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, agreed to pay $270,000 and work with an accessibility consultant to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
PepsiCo to Pay $270,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit
According to the EEOC’s suit, PepsiCo hired a blind employee as a customer care advocate for its Winston-Salem call center in April 2022.
The suit also alleged that PepsiCo rejected an offer by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Resources to assist PepsiCo with identifying accessibility solutions for the employee.
Under the two-year consent decree resolving the lawsuit, PepsiCo is enjoined from failing to provide a reasonable accommodation as required by the ADA; must work with an expert to ensure that certain software applications at the Winston-Salem facility will be accessible to individuals with visual disabilities; make periodic progress reports to the EEOC; maintain and distribute an anti-discrimination policy addressing reasonable accommodations; provide relevant training at its Winston-Salem facility; and post a notice of rights and obligations under the ADA.

Workplace equity Allegation Against

PepsiCo is accused of firing a blind employee

EEOC sues PepsiCo for failing to accommodate and firing a blind employee.

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eeoc.gov
EEOC Sues PepsiCo for Failing to Accommodate and Firing a Blind Employee
– PepsiCo Beverage Sales, LLC violated federal law when it failed to provide a reasonable accommodation to and fired a blind employee in its North Carolina call center, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today.

Workplace equity Confirmed You decide

PepsiCo launches $570M racial equality journey

PepsiCo launched a $570 million Racial Equality Journey in the U.S. to increase Black and Hispanic managerial representation and support minority-owned businesses over five years.

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sec.gov
In 2020, PepsiCo launched our more than $570 million Racial Equality Journey in the U.S., an effort to break down systemic barriers to opportunity, starting with a set of initiatives in the United States focused on increasing Black and Hispanic managerial representation at PepsiCo to mirror workforce availability in the U.S., supporting Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses and lifting up Black and Hispanic American communities over five years.

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

PepsiCo is accused of agreeing to preferential wholesale pricing

PepsiCo is accused of entering into an agreement with Walmart that provided Walmart preferential wholesale pricing on Pepsi products while forcing other retailers to pay inflated prices, violating antitrust law.

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people.com
PepsiCo and Walmart are facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging the two companies engaged in a long-running price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the cost of Pepsi-branded soft drinks for consumers who shopped anywhere other than Walmart.
PepsiCo Accused of Price-Fixing Scheme That Allegedly Favored Walmart
law.com
Law.com Radar detected at least five antitrust class actions filed in New York and California federal courts following a U.S. judge's order that compelled the Federal Trade Commission to file public documents showcasing why former FTC Chair Lina Khan pursued a rare Robinson-Patman Act case against PepsiCo alleging the beverage giant unlawfully favored Walmart.
nwahomepage.com
The proposed class action alleges that Walmart and PepsiCo entered into an agreement that gave Walmart preferential wholesale pricing on Pepsi products while forcing other retailers to pay inflated prices, which violates antitrust law.
Class action lawsuit filed against Walmart, PepsiCo over alleged price-fixing

Workplace equity Settlement Against

PepsiCo subsidiary settles religious discrimination lawsuit

Frito-Lay, Inc., a PepsiCo subsidiary, agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

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eeoc.gov
– Frito-Lay, Inc., a Plano, Texas-based subsidiary of PepsiCo that manufactures and distributes snack foods, has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employ­ment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
In addition to paying $50,000 in monetary relief, Frito-Lay will provide specialized training on reason­able accommodation processes to human resources personnel, managers and employees; require all accommodation requests to be reviewed and decided by PepsiCo regional staff with specialized knowledge of Title VII; and report requests to accommodate an employee’s or prospective employee’s religious observance or practice and the resolution of these requests to EEOC.

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

PPC claims PepsiCo website misrepresents sustainability

PPC said PepsiCo's website uses misleading language about the corporation's dedication to sustainability.

1 sourceRead sources
yahoo.com
PPC also said PepsiCo's website uses misleading language about the corporation's dedication to sustainability despite practices that suggest otherwise.

Corporate conduct Official statement Against

U.S. lawmakers pressed PepsiCo and the Federal Trade Commission on whether Pepsi used discriminatory pricing practices favoring Walmart over smaller retailers

The official statement involving PepsiCo (Pepsi) concerns smaller retailers.

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warren.senate.gov
– U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, and the co-chairs of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus — Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), and Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) — led lawmakers in pressing PepsiCo (Pepsi) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on whether Pepsi used discriminatory pricing practices that favored Walmart over smaller retailers and raised questions about possible political motivations in the FTC’s decision to dismiss its price discrimination lawsuit against the company.

Workplace equity Settlement Against

PepsiCo settles ADA accommodation violations

PepsiCo settles by being enjoined from failing to provide reasonable accommodation under the ADA, must work with an expert to ensure software accessibility for visually impaired employees at Winston-Salem, and provide periodic progress reports to the EEOC.

1 sourceRead sources
eeoc.gov
Under the two-year consent decree resolving the lawsuit, PepsiCo is enjoined from failing to provide a reasonable accommodation as required by the ADA; must work with an expert to ensure that certain software applications at the Winston-Salem facility will be accessible to individuals with visual disabilities; make periodic progress reports to the EEOC; maintain and distribute an anti-discrimination policy addressing reasonable accommodations; provide relevant training at its Winston-Salem facility; and post a notice of rights and obligations under the ADA.

Education Confirmed In favor

PepsiCo supports community-college scholarships

PepsiCo Foundation funds community-college students pursuing associate degrees, credentials, and trade certificates.

1 sourceRead sources
insidephilanthropy.com
PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship: Supports community-college students pursuing associate degrees, credentials and trade certificates.

Corporate conduct Recall Against

PepsiCo recalls Lay's Bugles and Wokkels chips

PepsiCo Netherlands is recalling Lay's Bugles and Wokkels chips due to contamination with toxic non-food-grade mineral oil during the packaging process.

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yahoo.com
PepsiCo is recalling these popular chips due to a contamination risk.
PepsiCo Netherlands has recalled several flavors of Lay's Bugles and Wokkels chips after a toxic non-food-grade mineral oil contaminated the chips during the packaging process.
PepsiCo Netherlands is recalling Lay's Bugles and Wokkels chips due to contamination with toxic non-food-grade mineral oil during the packaging process.

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

The FTC petitioned for the removal of redactions in a complaint against PepsiCo regarding alleged RPA infractions

However, the FTC has signalled its intention to petition for the removal of these redactions to fully expose the extent of PepsiCo's alleged RPA infractions and their impact on competitor pricing.

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finance.yahoo.com
However, the FTC has signalled its intention to petition for the removal of these redactions to fully expose the extent of PepsiCo's alleged RPA infractions and their impact on competitor pricing.
US FTC sues PepsiCo over alleged preferential price deal with Walmart

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

PepsiCo is accused of health halo marketing statements

PepsiCo is accused of making health halo marketing statements that are false, deceptive, and unlawful due to material omissions about added sugars in its products.

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courthousenews.com
As set forth above, PepsiCo’s marketing misleads consumers about the true qualities and characteristics of Gatorade Protein Bars—which, instead of enhancing athleticism and/or overall fitness and well-being by providing essential nutrients that its consumers are missing and/or which they require to build muscle—a claim that PepsiCo markets as supported by sports science no less— is instead saturated with added sugars.
To the contrary, PepsiCo omits any reference to sugar as the key characterizing ingredient from the Protein Bar name, and then piles on the deception with multiple other protein- related health and wellbeing claims, such as “Backed by Science,” along with emblazoning the logos of professional sports leagues—who members are virtually the fittest people on the planet—on the Product’s PDP.
PepsiCo’s labeling and marketing of Gatorade Protein Bars is likely to deceive Class Members about the value of the Product as beneficial to their athleticism and/or health and/or well- being.
As part of its deception, PepsiCo includes the word protein in the Product name— PROTEIN BAR—without any reference to the Product’s primary characterizing ingredient—sugar.
PepsiCo’s labeling and marketing of Gatorade Protein Bars, as alleged herein, constitute “deceptive” acts and practices, as such conduct misled Plaintiff Zurl and other members of the New York Class, as to the nutritional character, value, and/or healthfulness of Gatorade Protein Bars.
PepsiCo’s labeling, marketing, and advertising of Gatorade Protein Bars, as alleged herein, are “misleading in a material respect,” and thus “false advertising,” as they falsely represent Gatorade Protein Bars as beneficial to athleticism and overall health and well-being.
PepsiCo either knew or reasonably should have known that the name of and other statements on the packaging, labels, and other marketing of Gatorade Protein Bars were likely to deceive consumers.
The acts, omissions, misrepresentations, practices, and non-disclosures of PepsiCo, as alleged herein, constitute “unlawful” business acts and practices in that they violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FFDCA”) and its implementing regulations, including, at least, the following sections: a. 21 U.S.C. § 343, which deems food misbranded when the label contains a statement that is “false or misleading in any particular,” with “misleading” defined to “take[] into account (among other things) not only representations made or suggested by statement, word, design, device, or any combination thereof, but also the extent to which the labeling or advertising fails to reveal facts material”; b.
As alleged herein, PepsiCo, in its labeling of Gatorade Protein Bars, makes “false [and] misleading advertising claim[s],” as it deceives consumers about the value of the Product as beneficial to overall athleticism and/or health or well-being, and/or its true qualities and characteristics.
PepsiCo, with its Gatorade Protein Bars, capitalizes on this fraudulent advertising trend—with intensive and misleading marketing about the purported benefits of protein and/or the advantages of consuming its protein-fortified Product to enhance general fitness, athleticism and impliedly, overall well-being and/or health—all notwithstanding its high added sugars content.
Collectively as well as individually, PepsiCo’s health halo marketing statements are false, deceptive, and unlawful, including with respect to material omissions about the Product’s primary characterizing ingredient—added sugars.

Climate & energy Allegation Against

PepsiCo is accused of harming New York's environment

PepsiCo is accused of causing harm to New York's environment through single-use plastic packaging.

5 sourcesRead sources
ag.ny.gov
PepsiCo knew or should have known that the single-use plastic packaging containing its beverage and snack food products, whether used as intended or misused in a foreseeable manner, would cause harm to the People of the State of New York and their public trust resources, including the Buffalo River, its bed and banks, and public parks along the river.
COMPLAINT
ag.ny.gov
PepsiCo knew or should have known that the single-use plastic packaging containing its beverage and snack food products, whether used as intended or misused in a foreseeable manner, would cause harm to the People of the State of New York and their public trust resources, including the Buffalo River, its bed and banks, and public parks along the river.
COMPLAINT
grist.org
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued PepsiCo in 2023 over plastic pollution in the Buffalo River.
New York’s plastic lawsuit against PepsiCo was dismissed. What’s next? | Grist
cbsnews.com
— New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. on Wednesday, accusing the soda-and-snack food giant of polluting the environment and endangering public health after its single-use plastics were found along the Buffalo River.
nycourts.gov
In its complaint, plaintiff argues that "as a result of PepsiCo's and others' persistent manufacturing, production, distribution, and sale of beverages and snack foods in single-use plastic packaging, single-use plastic items have become a dominant form of pollution in urban watersheds such as the Buffalo River." (Id.

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

PepsiCo under investigation for avocado oil claims

PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz face investigation in Texas over avocado oil claims.

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yahoo.com
PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz under investigation in Texas over avocado oil claims

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

PepsiCo faces false advertising lawsuits

PepsiCo is sued over false advertising claims, including for Aquafina's recyclability claims.

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yahoo.com
PepsiCo has been subject to a range of false advertising lawsuits across its brands, including Aquafina for its recyclability claims, and it remains one of the world's top plastic polluters.

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

PepsiCo marketing allegedly deceives consumers

PepsiCo knew or should have known its labeling and marketing was likely to deceive consumers.

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courthousenews.com
PepsiCo knew or should have known that its labeling and marketing was likely to deceive consumers.

Climate & energy Confirmed You decide

PepsiCo pushes back on climate and packaging goals

PepsiCo opposes climate and packaging commitments citing external realities.

2 sourcesRead sources
business-humanrights.org
"PepsiCo Pushes Back Climate, Packaging Goals Due to “External Realities”", 22 May 2025
business-humanrights.org
"PepsiCo Pushes Back Climate, Packaging Goals Due to “External Realities”", 22 May 2025

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

PepsiCo is accused of deceiving customers

PepsiCo faces a lawsuit alleging consumer deception.

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yahoo.com
Plaintiff Bonnie Reyes filed a class action lawsuit against PepsiCo on June 1, alleging that the company deceptively packaged its product, PopCorners, using nonfunctional slack-fill in California federal court.
PepsiCo hit with lawsuit over allegedly deceiving customers — here's what you need to know

Workplace equity Settlement Against

PepsiCo agreed to pay $1.79 million in monetary damages as part of a Consent Decree

In the Consent Decree, which has been submitted to Federal District Court Judge Harold Bear for approval, SoBe and PepsiCo have agreed to pay a total of $1.79 million in monetary damages, which will compensate the five female employees named in the suit and be used to establish a claims fund for other unidentified victims of the sex discrimination.

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eeoc.gov
NEW YORK - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced the settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit for $1.79 million against Norwalk, Conn.- based South Beach Beverage Company, Inc. (SoBe), a division of PepsiCo, Inc.
EEOC, SOBE, AND PEPSICO SETTLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT FOR $1.79 MILLION | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
In the Consent Decree, which has been submitted to Federal District Court Judge Harold Bear for approval, SoBe and PepsiCo have agreed to pay a total of $1.79 million in monetary damages, which will compensate the five female employees named in the suit and be used to establish a claims fund for other unidentified victims of the sex discrimination.
Spencer Lewis, Director of the EEOC's New York District Office, said, "The EEOC is pleased that PepsiCo worked cooperatively with the Commission during our investigation and in reaching this settlement.
EEOC, SOBE, AND PEPSICO SETTLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT FOR $1.79 MILLION
The EEOC noted that PepsiCo, which acquired SoBe in January 2001, has demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and under the Consent Decree will work to ensure that the appropriate EEOC policies and training as well as the corporation's own policies and training are implemented and adhered to at SoBe.

Workplace equity Confirmed You decide

PepsiCo advances inclusion initiatives

PepsiCo emphasizes efforts to promote inclusion within its organization and communities.

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sec.gov
PepsiCo became an even Stronger company by advancing our holistic cost management initiatives – such as expanding the size and scope of our Global Business Services—a program that helps reduce redundancies across functions—to help accelerate productivity, standardization, and process improvement across the company. We also continued to transform our capabilities and culture, especially through digitization and innovation. We added digital capabilities, such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning and automation.
sec.gov
PepsiCo’s efforts to advance inclusion-related initiatives within our organization, and in the communities we serve, is critical to the long-term success of our business.

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

FTC case against PepsiCo fizzled out

The FTC's case against PepsiCo ended without success, highlighting risks of private antitrust suits.

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law.com
Fizzled-Out FTC Case Against PepsiCo Highlights Risks of Private Antitrust Suits

Ukraine & Russia Confirmed You decide

PepsiCo continues producing cola in Russia

PepsiCo remains operating 19 factories in Russia, producing Lyubimaya and Evervess Cola for local shelves.

4 sourcesRead sources
finance.yahoo.com
PepsiCo, one of the largest food and drink producers in the world, remains Russia's fourth-largest foreign business — with 60,000 workers and 19 factories still producing Pepsi Cola for Russian shelves under new names, Lyubimaya Cola and Evervess Cola.
kyivindependent.com
PepsiCo announced in March 2022 that it would suspend production and sales of Pepsi-Cola and other global brands in Russia, while continuing to provide some essential products.
kyivindependent.com
PepsiCo, one of the largest food and drink producers in the world, remains Russia's fourth-largest foreign business — with 60,000 workers and 19 factories still producing Pepsi Cola for Russian shelves under new names, Lyubimaya Cola and Evervess Cola.
yahoo.com
PepsiCo announced in March 2022 that it would suspend production and sales of Pepsi-Cola and other global brands in Russia, while continuing to provide some essential products.

Workplace equity Confirmed Against

PepsiCo makes changes to DEI programs

PepsiCo is making changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

14 sourcesRead sources
apnews.com
PepsiCo confirmed that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
apnews.com
PepsiCo confirmed that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
apnews.com
PepsiCo joins a long list of companies that have reigned in diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the wake of Trump’s election victory and before that, a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
blackpressusa.com
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The meeting comes just weeks after Sharpton warned of a potential boycott in a letter dated April 4, where he condemned PepsiCo’s retreat from its DEI commitments.
Al Sharpton said Monday that he will meet with PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta this week following the company’s decision to roll back key diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
finance.yahoo.com
(Reuters) - PepsiCo (PEP) has joined the growing list of major U.S. companies that are making changes to their diversity, equity and inclusion programs as President Donald Trump pushes to dismantle the practice across the federal government and private sector.
boston.com
PepsiCo confirmed that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
clickondetroit.com
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
fox44news.com
Leaders at PepsiCo have agreed to meet this week with civil rights advocates from the National Action Network to discuss the company’s recent decision to roll back some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the Reverend Al Sharpton said on Monday.
inc.com
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
ksat.com
Leaders at PepsiCo have agreed to meet this week with civil rights advocates from the National Action Network to discuss the company's recent decision to roll back some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the Reverend Al Sharpton said on Monday.
news4jax.com
Food and beverage giant PepsiCo has agreed to meet this week with civil rights advocates from the National Action Network to discuss the company’s recent decision to roll back some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
nwahomepage.com
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
usatoday.com
PepsiCo ended some of its DEI initiatives in February and eliminated the chief diversity officer role.
usatoday.com
PepsiCo PEP.O has joined the growing list of major U.S. companies that are making changes to their diversity, equity and inclusion programs as President Donald Trump pushes to dismantle the practice across the federal government and private sector.

Workplace equity Confirmed In favor

PepsiCo discloses U.S. workforce demographics

PepsiCo voluntarily discloses its annual EEO-1 report detailing U.S. workforce demographics.

1 sourceRead sources
sec.gov
Additionally, PepsiCo already voluntarily discloses our annual EEO-1 report which details our U.S. workforce demographics.

Health policy Allegation You decide

PepsiCo is accused of making public pledges

PepsiCo is accused of making public pledges to cut plastic use while undermining sustainability reforms through lobbying.

1 sourceRead sources
independent.co.uk
The world’s biggest plastic producers including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Nestlé have been accused of “hypocrisy” after a report claimed that they have made public pledges to cut plastic use while undermining sustainability reforms through lobbying groups and trade associations.

Community investment Confirmed In favor

PepsiCo Foundation avoids political lobbying

PepsiCo Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is prohibited from lobbying and political campaign involvement.

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sec.gov
As a 501(c)(3) private foundation, the PepsiCo Foundation is prohibited from engaging in most lobbying and political activities, including directly or indirectly participating or intervening in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any political candidate, and does not make charitable contributions for purposes of political influence.

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

PepsiCo reports 10% reusable packaging share

PepsiCo reported in 2023 that its share of reusable packaging remained at 10%, unchanged from its 2022 goal.

1 sourceRead sources
oceana.org
PepsiCo reported in 2023 that the company’s share of packaging in reusable formats was 10%, unchanged from when it first announced its goal in 2022.

Ukraine & Russia Confirmed You decide

PepsiCo opens new Russia plant in 2024

PepsiCo opened a new plant in Russia in 2024 and is hiring nearly 600 workers.

1 sourceRead sources
business-humanrights.org
PepsiCo actively continues its business operations in Russia. The company opened a new plant in 2024 and is currently hiring almost 600 workers.