Mondelēz, Oreo and Palm Oil Greenwashing Exposed

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

This article explores how palm oil greenwashing is part of the Mondelēz and Oreo value proposition. Despite marketing its palm oil as “sustainable” and RSPO-certified, Mondelēz continues to source from suppliers linked to deforestation, worker exploitation, child labour, land-grabbing, and violence against Indigenous land defenders. Learn more about Mondelēz, Oreo and palm oil greenwashing, along with the evidence connecting the company’s sourcing practices to rainforest destruction, human rights abuses, and misleading ethical claims. We demand urgent action to expose these deceptive practices and protect marginalised indigenous peoples, endangered animals and endangered plants. #BoycottPalmOil #HumanRights

Rainforest Action Network. (2025, May 14). The maker of Oreos is not taking its human rights responsibilities seriously.

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Mondelēz International, the global food giant responsible for Oreo biscuits, faces renewed scrutiny for its palm oil sourcing practices. Despite public claims of using “sustainable” RSPO-certified palm oil, evidence from multiple investigations shows that human rights abuses and deforestation remain widespread in the company’s supply chain.

Mondelēz travesty: palm oil greenwashing

Between 2015 and 2017, 22 of Mondelēz’s palm oil suppliers cleared over 70,000 hectares of rainforest, including 25,000 hectares of orangutan habitat in Indonesia.

Oreo’s suppliers have been accused of child labour, worker slavery, illegal deforestation, forest fires, and land theft. Wilmar International, the world’s largest palm oil trader is their main supplier. They have repeatedly failed to monitor or control their supply chain practices.

Mondelēz’s reliance on RSPO certification has been slammed as greenwashing. Despite adopting a “No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation” policy– this has failed to prevent land grabs, forced labour, and environmental harm, while the company continues to market its products as ethical and sustainable.

Palm oil and oreo greenwashing called ‘outrageous’ by Greenpeace

Kiki Taufik, head of Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s Indonesia forests campaign, said: “It’s outrageous that despite promising to clean up its palm oil almost ten years ago, Mondelēz is still trading with forest destroyers. Our investigation discovered that Mondelēz palm oil suppliers are still killing forests and razing orangutan habitat, pushing these beautiful and intelligent creatures to the brink of death. They’re literally dying for a cookie”.

Mondelēz palm oil greenwashing reflects failures in palm oil’s corporate accountability. The sneaky use of “sustainable” palm oil is greenwashing.

Act now to end Mondelēz palm oil greenwashing

The article calls for urgent action from consumers, advocates and governments to demand real accountability and an end to Mondelēz palm oil greenwashing. The biggest priorities are protecting indigenous communities, protecting workers’ rights, and halting forest loss.

Rainforest Action Network. (2025, May 14). The maker of Oreos is not taking its human rights responsibilities seriously.

ENDS

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Read more about deforestation and ecocide in the palm oil industry