Cadbury warned by MPs and peers: Stop Russia sales

By EMILY HAWKINS

Updated: 21:50 BST, 18 April 2025

More than 70 MPs and peers have written to the boss of Cadbury-owner Mondelez over selling chocolate in Russia.

As millions of Brits tuck into its Easter eggs this weekend, parliamentarians accused the company of ‘funding Russia’s war machine’ by selling brands including Milka chocolate and Oreo biscuits.

The 72 politicians have written to Dirk Van de Put, chief executive of Mondelez, the US food giant that took Cadbury over in 2010.

The letter, seen by the Mail, says: ‘Mondelez is putting profit before principles and steadily eroding Cadbury’s name, once synonymous with ethical business, Quaker values and a deep connection to the communities it served in the West Midlands.’

Signatories include former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell. They say Mondelez must sever its business ties with Russia immediately.

And they want the group to disclose ‘financial contributions to the Russian government so stakeholders can hold Mondelez accountable’. Labour’s Alex Sobel, who co-chairs an all-party Ukraine group and organised the letter, said he has also sent the letter to major football clubs who have sponsorship deals with the chocolate giant.

‘Funding Russia’s war machine’: The 72 politicians have written to Dirk Van de Put, chief executive of Mondelez

Mondelez has faced building pressure over its presence in Russia. Critics include James Cadbury, who called the situation ‘disappointing’. He is a descendant of John Cadbury, who founded the Birmingham-based company in 1824.

Politicians argue it is indirectly funding the war chest through business taxes, which are set to be increased by the Kremlin this year. The US conglomerate sells a number of its brands in Russia including Milka and Oreo. Cadbury’s Dairy Milk bars are also sold in shops, though Mondelez insists this is due to unlicensed distributors and imports.

It argues a full exit would cause more harm than good as its operations could fall into the hands of the Kremlin.

Nezir Sinani, executive director of B4Ukraine, a coalition of advocacy groups demanding businesses cut ties with Russia, said: ‘Richard and George Cadbury [John’s sons] once built a town to care for their workers.

‘Today, their brand’s owner operates under a Russian regime that compels companies like Mondelez to assist with conscripting employees.’

A Mondelez spokesman said: ‘If stopping our operations in Russia would stop the war, we would do it immediately.

‘We have scaled down our activities in Russia. As a result of these actions, we are selling significantly less products as our sales are now declining.’

DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS

Easy investing and ready-made portfolios

AJ Bell

Easy investing and ready-made portfolios

Hargreaves Lansdown

Free fund dealing and investment ideas

interactive investor

Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month

Saxo

Get £200 back in trading fees

Trading 212

Free dealing and no account fee

Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.

Compare the best investing account for you

:
Cadbury warned by MPs and peers: Stop Russia sales

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk

Cadbury warned by MPs and peers: Stop Russia sales