MondelÄz International, the global food giant responsible for Oreo biscuits, faces renewed scrutiny for its palm oil sourcing practices. Despite public claims of using âsustainableâ RSPO-certified palm oil, evidence from multiple investigations shows that human rights abuses and deforestation remain widespread in the companyâs supply chain.
Between 2015 and 2017, 22 of MondelÄzâs palm oil suppliers cleared over 70,000 hectares of rainforest, including 25,000 hectares of orangutan habitat in Indonesia. These suppliers have also been accused of child labour, worker exploitation, illegal deforestation, forest fires, and land grabbing. Much of this palm oil is sourced from Wilmar International, the worldâs largest palm oil trader, which has repeatedly failed to monitor or control its suppliersâ destructive practices.
Despite adopting a âNo Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitationâ policy, MondelÄzâs reliance on RSPO certification has been widely criticised as ineffective and misleading. The RSPO standard has failed to prevent land grabs, forced labour, and environmental harm, while the company continues to market its products as ethical and sustainable.
Kiki Taufik, head of Greenpeace Southeast Asiaâs Indonesia forests campaign, said: âItâs outrageous that despite promising to clean up its palm oil almost ten years ago, MondelÄz is still trading with forest destroyers. Palm oil can be made without destroying forests, yet our investigation discovered that MondelÄz suppliers are still trashing forests and wrecking orangutan habitat, pushing these beautiful and intelligent creatures to the brink of extinction. Theyâre literally dying for a cookieâ.
The article highlights that these issues are not isolated incidents but reflect systemic failures in the palm oil sectorâs self-regulation and corporate accountability. The continued use of âsustainableâ palm oil claims is described as greenwashing, misleading consumers while abuses persist.
The article calls for urgent action from consumers, advocates, and policymakers to demand real accountability from companies like MondelÄz. Protecting Indigenous communities, upholding workersâ rights, and halting deforestation are identified as urgent priorities.
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Mondelez destroys rainforests, sending animals extinct and release mega-tonnes of carbon into air for so-called âsustainableâ palm oil. Boycott them!
