On August 16, 2024, Tim Gollogly filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Mondeléz International, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that Mondeléz has engaged in false and deceptive marketing practices related to its "Cocoa Life" logo on products such as Oreo, Toblerone, and Côte D'Or.
The complaint centers around Mondeléz's claims that its cocoa products are sustainably sourced and free from forced labor. According to Gollogly, these representations are misleading and false. The lawsuit highlights that despite Mondeléz's assertions, the supply chain for these products involves grievous labor abuses, including child labor and other exploitative practices endemic in the cocoa industry. The plaintiff argues that consumers are misled by the "Cocoa Life" logo and associated marketing materials into believing they are purchasing ethically sourced products.
Gollogly's complaint details various accusations against Mondeléz. It points out that the company markets its Cocoa Life program as ensuring sustainable cocoa sourcing and protecting people and the planet. However, investigations have revealed that many farms supplying cocoa to Mondeléz engage in hazardous child labor and pay workers below poverty wages. For instance, a 2020 report from the U.S. Labor Department found that approximately 1.56 million children work on cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana under conditions considered among the worst forms of child labor.
The plaintiff is seeking equitable relief and damages for himself and others similarly situated. The relief sought includes actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, restitution of ill-gotten gains, injunctive relief to prevent further deceptive marketing practices by Mondeléz, and reasonable attorneys' fees.
Representing Gollogly is attorney P. Renée Wicklund from Richman Law & Policy. The case has been assigned Case No: 1:24-cv-07368 in front of Judge [Name].