Snack foods
In 2015 private equity firm Permira acquired Popcorners producer Medora Snacks and Ideal Snacks and combined them to create BFY Brands, which was acquired by PepsiCo in 2019.
Company Ownership
BFY Brands LLC
USA
PepsiCo Inc
owns 100% of BFY Brands LLC
USA
Snack food and beverage makers
World's #2 soft drink maker. PepsiCo owns Frito-Lay, the world's #1 maker of snacks like corn chips and potato chips. PepsiCo also sells other beverages. Their products are available in over 200 countries.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Aug 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
BFY Brands LLC
Praise
Criticism
Information
Non-GMO products in USA
This company has products that have been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, North America's only independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
Source: Non-GMO Project
(2021)
PepsiCo Inc
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
16/18 in Net Zero scorecard
As You Sow's 2022 report, 'Road to Zero Emissions', assessed the progress of 55 of the largest U.S. corporations in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's objective of limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which requires achieving "net zero" emissions by 2050. Companies are graded on: climate related disclosures; GHG reduction targets, and GHG reductions. This company received an Overall Net Zero grade of A.
Source: As You Sow
(2022)
Green Power Partner
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA) as using renewable energy for 103% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA
(2023)
CDP Water Security score of A
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of A.
Source: CDP
(2023)
JUST Capital ranking
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2024 rankings the public identified 20 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 97th of 937 companies, and 1st of 32 Food, Beverage & Tobacco companies.
Source: JUST Capital
(2024)
61.2% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 61.2%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
CDP Forests score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Climate policy engagement
InfluenceMap's 2021 A-List of Climate Policy Engagement identifies 15 corporate leaders advocating for ambitious climate policy across a range of sectors and regions. To qualify, a company must exhibit sufficient support for ambitious climate policy, strategic levels of engagement with climate policy, and leadership in its sector. Links to industry associations egregiously opposing climate policy can disqualify a company from the list. The report also offers 21 'Potential Leaders', including his company, which appear to be on the right track.
Source: Influence Map
(2021)
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA
(2023)
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'well on path' with a score of 19.02 out of a possible total of 24.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard
(2024)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
40.1% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 40.1%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Access to Nutrition rating
The Global Access to Nutrition Index assesses how the world's 25 largest global food and beverage manufacturers contribute to addressing malnutrition in all its forms: overweight and obesity, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiency. All have been assessed on their commitments, practices, and disclosure with regards to governance and management; the production and distribution of healthy, affordable, accessible products; and how they influence consumer choices and behavior. Of the 25 companies ranked, this company came 7th.
13.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 13.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
43.4% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #12/350, with a total score of 43.4/100.
37.8% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #27/816, with a total score of 37.8/100.
Palm oil sourcing
This company sources palm oil from at least 20 of the 25 dirty palm oil producers identified in the 2018 Greenpeace report "The Final Countdown". In addition to deforestation, the 25 individual cases in the report include evidence of exploitation and social conflicts, illegal deforestation, development without permits, plantation development in areas zoned for protection and forest fires linked to land clearance.
Source: Greenpeace
(2018)
Delaying action on plastic pollution
The Talking Trash 2020 report by Changing Markets investigates the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis. It found that the industry is actively delaying and derailing ambitious action on plastic pollution in its fight to maintain business as usual for as long as possible. For example, this company is signed up to 8 nice-sounding voluntary initiatives to address plastic waste, while also participating in 7 industry associations which lobby against legislation that could restrict plastic, or make corporations responsible for managing the waste they create, financially or otherwise.
Source: Changing Markets
(2020)
Plastic pollution
Every year from 2018 to 2023, Break Free From Plastic has identified the world's top plastic-polluting corporations. In 2023 Break Free From Plastic engaged 8,804 volunteers in 41 countries to conduct 250 brand audits. These volunteers collected and audited 537,719 pieces of plastic waste. This company has ranked as one of the world's top four plastic polluters 6 years in a row.
Source: #breakfreefromplastic
(2023)
Top 10 Corporate Criminal of 2017
This company appeared on Global Exchange's list of "10 Top Corporate Criminals of 2017" for violating worker rights, along with destroying rainforests, harming local communities and Indigenous Peoples’ lands, and causing massive greenhouse gas emissions by draining and burning peatlands for production of palm oil.
Source: Global Exchange
(2017)
36.5% in conflict minerals rankings
As You Sow's 2019 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 215 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was 36.5% (Weak).
Source: As You Sow
(2019)
Supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 15.42/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
Palm oil from illegal sources
In 2019 Rainforest Action Network (RAN) conducted a series of undercover investigations which showed that several major snack food producers, including this company, have been found purchasing palm oil from mills that have continued to source palm oil resulting from the illegal clearing of lowland rainforests within the nationally protected Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve in Indonesia. These mills are located immediately next to areas of illegal encroachment into the Leuser Ecosystem and lack the necessary procedures to trace the location where the palm oil they sell is grown, a key requirement for complying with the No Deforestation, No Peatlands, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy this company has publicly committed to.
Source: RAN
(2019)
D grade in Keep Forests Standing report
Rainforest Action Network's 2022 report and scorecard "Keep Forests Standing" assessed 17 brands and banks on their efforts to address their contribution to the destruction of forests, ongoing land grabs, and violence against local and Indigenous communities. This company received a 'D' grade in the evaluation.
Source: RAN
(2022)
Palm oil sourcing
A 2022 BBC News, Mongabay and the Gecko Project released a joint investigation that looked into a scheme that was intended to help lift millions of Indonesians out of poverty and cut them in on the spoils of the global palm oil boom, but has instead been plagued by allegations of exploitation and illegality. They identified 13 companies, including this one, that have sourced palm oil from producers alleged to have withheld plasma (a portion of large-scale plantations to be shared with local communities), or the profits from plasma, from Indonesian communities over the past eight years. The losses suffered across Indonesia by communities owed plasma could stretch into the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Protests by local tribes over plasma are violently suppressed by Indonesian authorities.
Source: Mongabay
(2022)
D+ grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of D+.
Source: As You Sow
(2024)
Water use in India
India Resource claims that PepsiCo intentionally used deceptive claims when the company claimed it has achieved 'positive water balance' in India. Scrutiny of these claims revealed that PepsiCo actually take far more water than they put back, despite company claims to the contrary.
Source: India Resource
(2011)
17/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2023 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 17/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
Source: KnowTheChain
(2023)
CEO Pay Ratio of 543:1
In 2022 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$52,315. The CEO was paid 543 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO
(2023)
Corporate Criminals Alumni
This company appeared on Global Exchange's 2014 list of "Most Wanted" Corporate Criminals for deforestation, destruction of peatlands, species extinction, greenhouse gas emissions, commodification of water, use of GMOs and prevention of labeling GMO foods, and privatization of public services. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Global Exchange
(2018)
BPA policy
The Seeking Safer Packaging 2010: Ranking Food Companies on BPA report by U.S. nonprofit organization, As You Sow, rates companies on their corporate efforts to eliminate BPA from their canned food and beverage products. BPA has been linked to serious diseases and has been the focus of increasing consumer concern and regulatory restrictions. This company received a 'D-' Grade in the report. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: As You Sow
(2010)
Racial discrimination
In Jan 2012, Pepsi's biggest bottling unit agreed to pay US$3.13 million and offer jobs and training to resolve charges the company discriminated against blacks. The US investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that Pepsi's criminal background-check policy discriminated against blacks in violation of the Civil Rights Act. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: news article
(2012)
Possible GE in US brands
This company has products rated RED in the Centre for Food Safety's True Food Shopper's Guide (USA). Products on the RED list contain ingredients that come from the most common GE crops (corn, soy, canola, cotton). Companies with products on this list have confirmed that their products may have or are likely to be made with GE ingredients, or have not denied using GE foods when given the opportunity to do so.
Nanoparticles in food products
This 2014 report by Friends of the Earth documents a tenfold increase in unregulated, unlabeled "nanofood" products on the American market since 2008. The report named this company among those with products containing unlabeled nano-ingredients. These nanomaterials differ significantly from larger particles of the same chemical composition, and new studies are adding to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating they may be more toxic to humans and the environment.
Source: FOE
(2014)
45.7% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 45.7/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek
(2017)
Excessive CEO pay
As You Sow's 2019 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Indra Nooyi came in at number 34 on the list, having been paid US$31,082,648 in 2018. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Source: As You Sow
(2019)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Mum-friendly employer
This company was named in Seramount's 100 Best Companies 2022 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies provide inclusive benefits for families, including paid gender-neutral parental leave, phase-back programs, bereavement leave after miscarriage, reimbursement for fertility expenses, and increased mental health benefits for employees.
Source: Seramount
(2022)
Cage-free eggs commitment
This company is listed on the RSPCA Australia website as 'cage-free and proud', signifying a commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. Essentially cage-free means barn laid, which is better than cage eggs, but still much worse than free-range or organic eggs when it comes to animal welfare.
Source: RSPCA Australia
(2024)
PESE member
This company is one of a group of eight multinationals working together under the Brazilian Business and Ecosystem Services Partnership (PESE) which provides a platform for Brazilian companies to proactively develop strategies to manage business risks and opportunities arising from their companies' dependence and impact on ecosystems. By making the connection between healthy ecosystems and the bottom line, PESE not only fosters more sustainable business practices, but also opens the door to new, profitable business opportunities.
Source: PESE
(2017)
Sustainability Consortium member
This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives.
Source: Sustainability Consortium
(2019)
Sustainable Brands member
This company is a Gold Member of the Sustainable Brands Network, the leading peer to peer, learning and networking group designed to support brands in meeting their sustainability goals and ultimately become those leaders of the next sustainable economy.
Source: Sustainable Brands
(2018)
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website in the areas of responsible sourcing, community support, policy documents and sustainability reporting.
Source: company website
(2017)
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle
(2023)
Bonsucro member
This company is a member of Bonsucro - Better Sugar Cane Initiative, a global non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation fostering the sustainability of the sugarcane sector through its leading metric-based certification scheme and its support for continuous improvement for members.
Source: Bonsucro
(2019)
Sedex member
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex
(2018)
Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy
(2022)
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform
(2023)
Trash Free Seas Alliance member
This company is a member of the Trash Free Seas Alliance, the oldest forum of its kind focused on innovative and pragmatic solutions to rid the ocean of plastic pollution and other forms of marine debris. Corporate members have collectively committed millions of dollars for research on ways to improve waste collection and recycling in parts of the world most impacted by ocean plastic pollution. Members have also pledged to eliminate or replace up to half a million tons of virgin plastic from products and packaging each year.
Source: Ocean Conservancy
(2020)
Global Plastics Treaty endorsee
In 2022 after more than 170 nations backed a historic UN resolution to end plastic pollution, global businesses across the plastics value chain, financial institutions, and NGOs came together to announce a common vision for an effective and ambitious Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution. The vision will form the basis for future policy engagements with governments through a newly launched Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty which will be convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF. This company has endorsed the vision statement of the treaty.
Source: Global Plastics Treaty
(2023)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation partner
This company is a partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose stated mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with business, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design.
Worker exploitation in Indonesia
A 2016 report by Rainforest Acton Network and ILRF investigated two palm oil plantations owned and operated by Indonesian food giant Indofood, a producer of PepsiCo-branded snack foods. Child labor, exposure to highly hazardous pesticides, payment below the minimum wage, long-term reliance on temporary workers to fill core jobs, and the use of company-backed unions to deter independent labor union activity, among other findings, were all documented on the plantations which are linked to PepsiCo through its joint venture partnership with Indofood. [Listed under Information since PepsiCo dropped Indofood as a palm oil supplier in 2018. https://bit.ly/2QdZ09Z]
Source: RAN
(2016)
Previous use of foetal cells in R&D
US pro-life group Children of God for Life called off their year-long boycott call of Pepsico in April 2012 after PepsiCo announced they would stop using aborted foetal cell line HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) in their contractual agreement with biotech company Senomyx to develop flavor enhancers for their beverages.
Source: COG Life
(2012)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website
(2017)
14/27 in pesticides scorecard
Over the last 60 years farming has become dependent on the intensive use of chemicals. As You Sow's 2021 report, Pesticides in the Pantry, examines the growing risks posed by the use of synthetic pesticides in agricultural supply chains to food manufacturers, and scores companies on their efforts to reduce pesticide use in their supply chains. Scores ranged from 16 to 0, with an average score of 7.5. This company received a score of 14/27.
Source: As You Sow
(2021)
20.1% in Gender Benchmark
The 2023 Gender Benchmark ranks 112 companies from the apparel and food and agriculture sectors on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, violence and harassment, and marketplace and community. This company ranked #61/112, with a total score of 20.1%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2020)
Investment in nanotechnology
Friends of the Earth's 2014 report "Tiny Ingredients, Big Risks" names this company as one of over 200 transnational food companies engaged in nanotechnology research and development, and on their way to commercializing products. New studies are adding to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating nanomaterials may be toxic to humans and the environment.
Source: FOE
(2014)
42/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 42/100 in the Beverages category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 21 Oct 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary