Unilever is facing accusations of widespread greenwashing on its food products, according to a recent investigation by the Dutch consumers association, Consumentenbond. The organization scrutinized over 450 products and concluded that a significant portion, 247, carried inaccurate or ambiguous environmental claims.

Only Ben & Jerry’s, Hertog IJs, and De Vegetarische Slager brands were found to be free of greenwashing.

Other brands such as Calvé, Hellmann’s, Knorr, Lipton, Ola, and Unox, used terms like “sustainably grown” or “sustainable packaging” without providing adequate substantiation. The Consumentenbond argues that manufacturers should only use such claims if they can demonstrate that a product has no negative environmental impact, a standard they deem nearly impossible to meet.

The research also revealed that Unilever frequently uses its own invented logos to lend an official appearance to these claims. A total of 118 products featured four such misleading logos.

The Consumentenbond had previously raised concerns with Unilever in May 2024 regarding claims made about Calvé peanut butter and Knorr meal kits. In September 2024, the advertising standards authority, Reclame Code Commissie, sided with the Consumentenbond regarding Calvé peanut butter, advising Unilever to cease the misleading advertising. However, Unilever took approximately a year to modify its packaging and over six months to update its brand websites.

Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumentenbond, is urging the government-backed consumers authority, ACM, to take action. She stated that the research results have been shared with the ACM and is asking them to address offenders like Unilever promptly. She also said that consumers must not be misled, and trust in sustainability labels needs to be restored and greenwashing cannot go unpunished any longer.

Unilever has responded by stating that its sustainability claims are based on its own sustainability standards and internationally recognized certification schemes from independent parties. The company also said that it is undertaking a thorough review of the sustainability statements on its packaging, websites, and other communication channels.