PepsiCo and Mars are now on the Ukrainian list of international sponsors of war

On September 1, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) added food corporations PepsiCo and Mars to the list of international sponsors of war

The NACP press service announced this.

Despite statements about business cuts and suspension of advertising and production, the corporations still continue to operate in Russia and pay taxes to the country's budget.

PepsiCo owns, among other things, the Lay's, Mirinda, Sandora, 7up, Agusha, Chudo, and Sadochok brands. Mars companies include Mars, Snickers, Milky Way, Twix, Bounty, and M&M's.

In terms of net profit, PepsiCo is the fourth largest company in the Russian beverage and food industry. In 2022, the company paid over $115 million (or RUB 8.29 billion) in taxes to the Russian budget.

In March 2022, PepsiCo ceased its operations in Russia but resumed beverage production in August. In addition, PepsiCo launched a new lemonade brand called “Russian Gift” in the country to replace the previous products.

According to media reports, PepsiCo's Lay's crisps were found in the food rations of Russian soldiers.

"The absence of sincere intentions to leave the Russian market is also indicated by the fact that the company's career page lists more than 580 vacancies in Russia," the NACP said in a statement.

Mars promised to reduce its business in Russia and stated that any profits from its Russian business would be used for humanitarian purposes. However, the factories continue to operate, and the Russian office of the company publishes advertisements for over 100 open positions.

Mars paid more than $93 million (or RUB 6.76 billion) in taxes to the Russian budget in 2022.

The NACP's register of international sponsors of war includes Philip Morris International, Alibaba Group Holding, Bacardi, Unilever, Mondelez International, Xiaomi Corporation, P&G, METRO, Auchan, and other brands.

Photo: Ja San Miguel | Unsplash