Mondelēz Lobbied to Delay EU Deforestation Rules
The snack giant sought to postpone compliance with regulations requiring proof of deforestation-free cocoa supplies.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Consumer Goods
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Mondelēz International, owner of brands like Cadbury and Oreo, actively lobbied U.S. and European officials to delay the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation. The regulation, which mandates companies prove their cocoa was not sourced from deforested land, was eventually pushed to December 31, 2026.
Why it matters
The company sought delays because it had not completed the necessary supply chain preparations to meet the strict anti-deforestation standards set by the EU. This push highlights the tension between major food conglomerates and environmental mandates aimed at global supply chains.
Mondelēz spent between 1.2 million and 1.5 million euros on EU lobbying efforts starting in 2023. These funds supported advocacy in Brussels and across several EU member nations to secure regulatory delays.
The players
Mondelēz International
This is a multinational confectionery, food, and beverage company that owns major brands including Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone, and Oreo.
Dirk Van De Put
He serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Mondelēz International and led high-level meetings regarding regulatory adjustments.
Andrew Puzder
He is the U.S. ambassador to the European Union who met with Mondelēz leadership in Brussels to discuss the regulatory framework.
The details
Mondelēz executives, including CEO Dirk Van De Put, engaged with officials in countries such as France, Germany, Ireland, and Luxembourg to influence the European Commission. The company's efforts culminated in a public call for a 12-month delay in July 2025, ahead of the eventual deadline shift.
Timeline
December 31, 2020: The cutoff date for non-deforested land under the regulation.
2023: The year Mondelēz began its tracked EU lobbying expenditure.
July 2025: Mondelēz publicly requested a 12-month delay for the regulation.
June 2026: CEO Dirk Van De Put met with the U.S. ambassador in Brussels.
December 31, 2026: The new implementation date for the EU deforestation mandate.
Market Landscape
The company's lobbying aligns with a broader industry push to soften the European Union Deforestation Regulation as global food manufacturers struggle with complex supply chain transparency requirements. This move underscores the ongoing influence of major corporations in shaping the regulatory environment for consumer goods.
Consumers may not see immediate changes to product pricing, but the delay impacts the timeline for when major brands must prove their supply chains are deforestation-free. This affects how shoppers evaluate the environmental sustainability of popular snacks like Oreo and Cadbury.
The takeaway
Large snack companies are currently prioritizing regulatory extensions over full compliance to mitigate supply chain disruption. Readers should be aware that the delay in these standards postpones the date by which corporations must verify their environmental claims.
Further reading
For more on the industry's response to regulatory shifts, visit the Consumer Goods section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mongabay.
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