EXCLUSIVE: Land O’Lakes Climate Goals Criticized by Watchdog

Clear Facts

• Consumers’ Research has warned Land O’Lakes that its climate initiatives could lead to costly lawsuits, similar to those faced by other companies.
• The watchdog group highlighted Land O’Lakes’ ambitious climate goals, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050.
• Consumers’ Research also criticized Land O’Lakes for its focus on DEI and ESG policies, suggesting a shift back to consumer-focused strategies.

In a recent development, watchdog group Consumers’ Research has raised concerns over Land O’Lakes’ ambitious climate goals, cautioning the company about potential legal repercussions. The warning, issued through a letter to Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford, suggests that these initiatives could eventually lead to lawsuits, thereby increasing costs for consumers.

Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, emphasized that Land O’Lakes should prioritize customer satisfaction over net-zero initiatives.

“Consumers’ Research is concerned that it is only a matter of time before national grocers, food producers, and food retailers, including Land O’Lakes, Inc., are subjected to state actions targeting their unrealistic net-zero commitments, as has happened with JBS,” Hild stated.

The letter draws parallels between Land O’Lakes’ climate objectives and those of meat processor JBS, which is currently facing legal action for allegedly misleading climate promises.

“As this comparison makes plain, Land O’Lakes’ statements on emissions reduction goals expose the company to the same type of litigation JBS currently faces,” Hild wrote.

JBS has been accused of engaging in “greenwashing,” a practice that misleads consumers about the environmental benefits of a company’s products or practices.

“There is risk lurking in the ESG and sustainability commitments of countless grocers and food retailers,” Hild added. “There is no better time than now for Land O’Lakes to course correct, remove this ESG risk, and pivot back to a pro-consumer approach to its business.”

The timing of the letter coincides with a “woke alert” from Consumers’ Research, which criticized Land O’Lakes for its DEI and ESG policies. The company has implemented measures such as unconscious bias training and a Supplier Diversity Program aimed at supporting businesses owned by women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups.

Land O’Lakes has also been active in climate-focused initiatives, such as the Dairy 2025 project, which helps member-owners reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. However, these efforts have not been without controversy.

In 2020, Land O’Lakes removed the American Indian woman from its packaging, a decision that sparked debate over the logo’s cultural sensitivity.

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