FTC / FDA Violations13
2023EU regulatory actionEU ACM enforcement - greenwashing fine, Netherlands$5.0M
EU Competition Authority (ACM Netherlands) fine against Unilever for greenwashing: 'natural' and 'sustainable' claims on Dove and Sunsilk products misleading under EU Green Claims Directive; Unilever required to substantiate all environmental and natural ingredient claims across EU market
2022lawsuitClass Action Settlement$6.5M
Class action lawsuit against Unilever: false 'natural' claims on St. Ives face scrubs containing synthetic fragrance, silicone, and preservatives; $6.5M settlement; Unilever agreed to revise natural labeling across personal care portfolio
2021EU regulatory actionEU RASFF notification - Chemical hazard - PFAS in refined palm oil in Belgium
EU RASFF notification: PFAS contamination in refined palm oil ingredient used in Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise. PFAS detected above EU thresholds from contaminated palm oil supply chain. Unilever has sustainability commitments but product failed EU chemical safety standards.
2021EU regulatory actionEU RASFF notification - PFAS in food packaging in Netherlands
EU RASFF notification: Unilever Ben & Jerry's ice cream — undisclosed PFAS contamination in packaging materials above EU limits; PFAS migration from food contact materials; Netherlands notified; EU stricter PFAS food contact standards than US FDA
2021lawsuitSettlement$2.1M
Federal lawsuit against Unilever: Seventh Generation 'plant-based' cleaning products contain synthetic preservatives and processing aids; misleading environmental and ingredient claims; $2.1M settlement; required reformulation or label corrections
2020EU regulatory actionEU RASFF notification - undeclared sulfites in Germany
EU RASFF alert: Knorr seasoning products (Unilever) — sulfite preservatives above EU limits without mandatory disclosure; Germany notified; EU allergen/intolerance disclosure rules stricter than US FDA requirements for sulfite labeling
2019FDA warning letterWarning Letter Issued
Warning letter to Unilever: Breyers ice cream misleading 'natural' claim; products contain alkalized cocoa and other processed ingredients inconsistent with natural labeling; 21 CFR 101.22 violations
2019USDA recallRecall Issued
USDA FSIS recall: Unilever/Hellmann's — Listeria monocytogenes contamination risk in mayonnaise-based deli salad products distributed to food service; Class II recall; potential cross-contamination at manufacturing facility
2013FDA warning letterWarning Letter Issued
Warning letter to Unilever: false health claims on Bertolli olive oil; claims about cardiovascular benefits exceeded authorized health claim language under 21 CFR 101.75
2012FTC actionConsent Order
FTC action against Unilever for misleading anti-aging claims on Dove Pro-Age and Ponds Age Miracle skincare: 'clinically proven' wrinkle reversal claims lacked adequate scientific substantiation; prohibited from making unsubstantiated anti-aging efficacy claims
2007FTC actionConsent Order - required scientific substantiation for weight loss claims
FTC action against Unilever for deceptive advertising on Slim-Fast products: claimed Slim-Fast shakes enable significant long-term weight loss; weight maintenance claims lacked adequate substantiation; misleading before/after advertising for meal replacement products
2004FTC actionsettled$3.2M
FTC challenges SlimFast weight loss advertising claims as unsubstantiated.
2004FTC actionConsent Order$3.2M
FTC action against Unilever/Slim-Fast: deceptive advertising for Slim-Fast weight loss products; ads implied clinical weight loss results not substantiated by evidence; settlement required substantiation for all future weight loss claims
FDA Recalls23 total
2024[Unilever North America Supply Chain Company, LLC] Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pop Net Wt 2.71 FL OZ (80 ML). Green Apple Blue Raspberry and Grape flavored. GTIN/UPC 10077567003727 Case UPC 77567003720 — Undeclared milk
2023[Conopco DBA Unilever] Knorr Fideos con Tomate Tomato Based Pasta Soup Mix 3.5 oz UPC: 048001716162 — Undeclared egg
2023[Conopco DBA Unilever] Knorr Letras con Tomate Tomato Based Alphabet Pasta Soup Mix 3.5 oz UPC: 048001716186 — Undeclared egg
2023[Conopco DBA Unilever] Knorr Estrellitas con Tomate Tomato Based Star Pasta Soup Mix 3.5 oz UPC: 048001716193 — Undeclared egg
2022[Class II] Skippy Foods, LLC.: SKIPPY Creamy Peanut Butter Blended with Plant Protein NET WT 14 (397 g) UPC 037600880954 packaged in clear plastic jar with black label — Potential to contain small steel contaminants. (Recall #F-0997-2022)
2022[Class II] Skippy Foods, LLC.: SKIPPY Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter NET WT 16.3 oz (1 LB 3 OZ) 462 g UPC 037600104999 packaged in clear plastic jar with blue label — Potential to contain small steel contaminants. (Recall #F-0996-2022)
2022[Class II] Skippy Foods, LLC.: SKIPPY Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter NET WT 40 oz (2 LB 8 OZ) 1.13 kg UPC 037600105200 packaged in clear plastic jar with blue label.; SKIPPY Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter NET WT 40 oz. (2 LB 8 — Potential to con
2022[Class I] Unilever United States: Suave Essentials body wash — undeclared benzene contaminant above FDA limits; voluntary recall of aerosol dry shampoo and body spray products; 19 SKUs affected nationwide
2021[Class II] Unilever: Degree, Dove, Axe, TRESemmé dry shampoo aerosols — benzene detected above 2 ppm Dartmouth limit; voluntary nationwide recall of 19 aerosol products; potential cancer risk with prolonged exposure
2020[Class II] Hormel Foods Corporation: SKIPPY Super Chunk Peanut Butter 16.3oz UPC: 00037600110723 packaged in non-flexible plastic container — Aflatoxin level slightly above actionable limit (Recall #F-0030-2021)
13 more recalls not shown