PepsiCo controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Cypriot businessmen sue PepsiCo over Famagusta factory use
Lawsuit filed
Greek Cypriot companies CyproFruta and Cyprus Farming Ltd filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from 12 companies and individuals, including PepsiCo, over the alleged use of their factory and land in Famagusta to manufacture Pepsi-branded products. The claim concerns the alleged use of the factory and land for that production. The filing names PepsiCo among the defendants and seeks compensation from all of them.
Source excerpt
Since 1981, a company in the north by the name of Ektam Kibris Ltd has used the factory and the land to manufacture Pepsi brand products – including Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7UP and Mirinda.
The plaintiffs are suing 12 companies/individuals – including PepsiCo, its global headquarters based in New York, the United States.
Politis reported that the lawsuit was filed a few days ago with Nicosia district court.
2026
Food and beverage companies filed 239 legal challenges against public health labeling policies (2010-2025)
Lawsuit filed
An investigation by Lighthouse Reports found that food and beverage companies, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Mars, filed 239 legal challenges from 2010 through 2025 to block or delay public health policies, particularly labeling requirements for ultraprocessed foods and sugary drinks. Cases were cataloged in the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Britain, and India, with a third of the lawsuits coming from just nine parent companies.
Source excerpt
Food giants like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Mars have filed 239 legal challenges from 2010 through 2025 to defeat health policies aimed at informing consumers about the products they consume.
A large share of the litigation targeted labeling requirements for food products, especially rules requiring ingredients and nutrition information on packaging.
The analysis cataloged cases in the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Britain, and India.
2024
Plastic pollution criticism
PepsiCo continued to face environmental criticism concerning single-use packaging and was identified in referenced reporting as one of the largest contributors to branded plastic pollution.
2021
Rise Brewing sues PepsiCo over RISE trademark
Lawsuit filed
Rise Brewing filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo alleging willful trademark infringement related to PepsiCo's RISE energy drink. The complaint alleges that the use of the RISE mark caused and would continue to cause consumer confusion; these are allegations, not a court determination.
Source excerpt
The complaint alleges PepsiCo's use of the RISE mark on its new product has caused, and will continue to cause, consumers to be confused about the source of the parties' respective products.
Yesterday, RISE AND SHINE Corp., dba Rise Brewing Co. (Rise Brewing), maker of organic, shelf-stable, ready-to-drink coffee beverages, filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo for willful trademark infringement.
The five-count complaint alleges that PepsiCo has infringed on Rise Brewing's trademark when it introduced a new canned morning caffeine drink that uses an identical product name, RISE.
2020
Communication Interface Technologies files patent suits against multiple companies
Lawsuit filed
Communication Interface Technologies filed multiple patent infringement suits in the Texas Eastern District Court against several companies, including Cinemark Holdings and Yum! Brands. The suits alleged unauthorized use of patented push-notification technology; the plaintiff sought infringement adjudication, damages, costs, fees, and other relief.
Source excerpt
Communication Interface Technologies has sought an adjudication of infringement of the patents-in-suit, an award for damages, an award for costs and fees, and other relief as determined by the court.
Communication Interface Technologies also alleged Yum! Brands infringed the ’010 patent through the KFC All-Stars App, Yum Mobile Forms App, and the KFC Suppertime Stories App.
2020
VPX Sports sues PepsiCo over distribution agreement
Lawsuit filed
Vital Pharmaceuticals, doing business as VPX Sports, filed suit against PepsiCo seeking injunctive relief in aid of arbitration. The complaint alleges that PepsiCo failed to meet obligations under a distribution agreement and interfered with VPX's transition of distribution rights. These are allegations in the filing, not findings.
Stated objective. VPX seeks an order preventing PepsiCo from communicating with its customers and business partners pending resolution of the arbitration.
Source excerpt
The causes of action are breach of the parties’ distribution agreement and tortious interference with business relationships.
Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc., doing business as VPX Sports (VPX) has filed a suit against defendant PepsiCo, Inc. seeking injunctive relief in aid of arbitration.
2020
Admiral Beverage sues PepsiCo over Rockstar distribution exclusivity
Lawsuit filed
Admiral Beverage sued PepsiCo in federal court, alleging that PepsiCo breached a contract by terminating Admiral’s exclusive Rockstar Energy distribution agreement. Admiral sought a preliminary injunction to maintain its exclusivity rights; the allegations are reported as claims in the lawsuit.
Source excerpt
Admiral is seeking a preliminary injunction in order to maintain its exclusivity rights.
Admiral Beverage, the Worland-based company that manufactures Pepsi products for a large portion of the Mountain West, is suing PepsiCo in federal court, claiming that the soft drink giant breached a contract in pulling Admiral's ability to exclusively manufacture an energy drink.
Specifically, the lawsuit claims that PepsiCo took away Admiral's exclusivity right to a market consisting of parts or all of Wyoming, Utah, Montana and Idaho after Admiral executives refused to sign an E-Commerce agreement which would authorize PepsiCo to sell its brand to online retailers like Amazon.
2019
FC5 potato farmer lawsuits in India
PepsiCo India sued several farmers over cultivation of the FC5 potato variety associated with Lay's production. The company withdrew the cases after public criticism and discussions with Indian authorities.