• Browse by: category | company | brand | product type  
  • HOME
  • THE GUIDE
  • ISSUES
  • GET INFORMED
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US
  • All  |
  • Baby  |
  • Clothing  |
  • Electronics  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household  |
  • Office Supplies  |
  • Personal Care  |
  • Pet  |
  • Retail  |
  • Toys
  • |  Print Guide  |
  • App
  • Clothing  |
  • Electronics  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household & Personal Care
  • Issues  |
  • New! Clothing  |
  • Why Shop Ethically?  |
  • 5 Principles  |
  • Companies to avoid  |
  • News  |
  • Sign Up for Updates
  • Go ethical at school, work, home  |
  • Campaign  |
  • Spread the Word  |
  • Volunteer  |
  • Workshops  |
  • Movie Nights  |
  • Fundraising
  • All Products  |
  • Shop Ethical! app  |
  • Shop Ethical! book  |
  • Stockists  |
  • Other books  |
  • Fregie sacks  |
  • FREE STUFF!  |
  • DONATE
  • Introduction  |
  • About Us  |
  • Ratings & Assessment  |
  • Media Mentions  |
  • Testimonials  |
  • FAQ

Lindt & Sprungli

OVERALL

Owned
SWI
Rating
Criticisms

Chocolate manufacturers

Established in 1845. Lindt chocolates are sold in over 100 countries. Acquired Russell Stover Candies, USA's third largest confectionery company, in 2014.

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG   SWI     website         

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG
Environment Palm oil scorecard - RFUK
Ethical Consumer has ranked companies' practices and policies in relation to their palm oil sourcing for the Rainforest Foundation/Ethical Consumer palm oil campaign. This company received a 'green' rating.
Source: Rainforest Foundation UK (2016)
Social Chocolate scorecard
In 2020 Green America, Mighty Earth and Be Slavery Free released their Chocolate Guide, which breaks down company commitments and policies in regards to deforestation and child labour. It does not assess effectiveness or implementation. This company is rated as "Leading the industry on policy".
Source: Be Slavery Free (2020)
Environment Deforestation in Africa
A 2017 investigation by Mighty Earth, "Chocolate's Dark Secret," found that a large amount of the cocoa used in chocolate produced by major chocolate companies, including this one, is grown illegally in national parks and other protected areas in Ivory Coast and Ghana. The countries are the world's two largest cocoa producers. The report documents how in several national parks and other protected areas, 90% or more of the land mass has been converted to cocoa. Less than four percent of Ivory Coast remains densely forested.
Source: Mighty Earth (2017)
Social Human Rights Benchmark
The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 200 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel, Extractives and ICT Manufacturing sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 0-10 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%.
Source: CHRB (2019)
Environment 25% in Forest 500 Rankings
The Forest 500 identifies, ranks, and tracks the governments, companies and financial institutions worldwide that together could virtually eradicate tropical deforestation. Rankings are based on their public policies and commitments and potential impacts on tropical forests in the context of forest risk commodities (palm oil, soy, beef, leather, timber and paper). This company received a score of 25%.
Source: Forest 500 (2019)
Environment CDP Forests Score of D
In 2019, 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 D.
Source: CDP (2019)
Social 32/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2018 KnowTheChain benchmarked 120 large global companies in the ICT, Food & Beverage, and Apparel & Footwear sectors on their efforts to address forced labour and human trafficking in their supply chains. This company received a score of 32/100.
Source: KnowTheChain (2018)
Business Ethics 22/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 22/100 in the Food Products category of the 2019 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices. 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 (2019)
Social 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)
Environment GE-free brands in US
This company has products rated GREEN in the Centre for Food Safety's True Food Shopper's Guide (USA). Companies on the GREEN list have made a concerted effort to avoid GE ingredients and have company policies asserting their position on avoiding GE foods.
Source: Center for Food Safety (USA) (2013)
Business Ethics World Cocoa Foundation member
This company is a member of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), an international membership organization representing more than 100 member companies across the cocoa value chain. WCF is committed to creating a sustainable cocoa economy through economic & social development and environmental stewardship in cocoa-growing communities.
Source: World Cocoa Foundation (2019)
Business Ethics Cocoa & Forests Initiative signatory
This company is a member of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative, demonstrating a commitment to no further conversion of any forest land for cocoa production in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. On March 2019, thirty-three company signatories, accounting for about 85% of global cocoa usage, released detailed individual action plans. The action plans focus on forest protection and restoration, sustainable cocoa production and farmers' livelihoods, and community engagement and social inclusion.
Source: World Cocoa Foundation (2020)
Environment Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 assesses 173 companies on the commitments they have made, and the actions they have taken, to ensure that there is no destruction of nature including no deforestation along their supply chains; and support a responsible and sustainable palm oil industry beyond their own supply chain. This company is rated 'middle of the pack' with a score of 13.3 out of a possible total of 22.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 (2019)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of C
In 2019, 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 C.
Source: CDP (2019)
Social Middle rating in Chocolate Scorecard
This company has taken steps in the right direction, but they are still not fully committed to protecting the rights of cocoa farmers.
Source: ILRF (2009)
Social CDP Water Security Score of C
In 2019, 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 C.
Source: CDP (2019)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Revenue US$4 billion in 2019
Employees 13,168 in 2019
Subsidiaries Lindt & Sprungli (Australia) Pty Ltd 

Chocolate makers and coffee distributors

In Australia Lindt and Sprungli distribute the Melitta coffee range. In 2016 Lindt opened the doors to its first chocolate factory in Australia.


Russell Stover Chocolates LLC 

Confectionery

Founded in 1921. USA's third largest chocolate manufacturer, after Hershey and Mars. USA's largest manufacturer of boxed chocolates, under the brands Russell Stover, Whitman's and Pangburn's. Previously privately owned, the company was acquired by Lindt in 2014.

Contact Details

Address Zurich, Switzerland
Website www.lindt-spruengli.com

Products / Brands

Lindt & Sprungli Australia
Lindor Chocolate
Lindt Chocolate
Lindt Milk Flavouring
Lindt Chocolate Spread

Russell Stover
Whitman's Chocolate


  • About Us

    • Introduction
    • About Shop Ethical!
    • About ECG
    • About the Ratings
    • Assessment sources
    • Shop Ethical! database
    • Shop Ethical! book
    • Shop Ethical! app
    • Contact us
    • FAQ

    • Copyright
    • Privacy
    • Disclaimer
  • Get Informed

    • ISSUES
    • GET INFORMED
    • Electronics Guide
    • Clothing Guide
    • Values Screen
    • Why Shop Ethically?
    • 5 Principles
    • Be Inspired
    • Calendar
    • Local Harvest
  • Get Involved

    • GET INVOLVED
    • Go Ethical at school,
      work, home, church
    • Run a workshop or tour
    • Host a movie night
    • Spread the word
    • Resources
    • Volunteer
    • Support us
  • Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Suggest brand/company
    • Report an error
    • Give feedback
    • Sign up for updates
    • Past newsletters
    • >>DONATE<<

    • GET the GUIDE
        • App Store
        • Google Play
        • buy our book