In a significant move, PepsiCo products will no longer be available for purchase within the premises of the Finnish Parliament building, as a response to the company’s continued involvement in Russia. This decision has been made in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, with the Finnish Parliament aiming to set a precedent for all Finnish citizens. The decision follows a proposal from a Finnish MP, Tuomas Kettunen, who called for the ban on “blood-stained Pepsi.”

The ban on Pepsi products has been officially confirmed by the head of the Finnish Parliament’s restaurant, marking a concrete step in implementing this policy.

MP Tuomas Kettunen’s call to action was prompted by a recent report from the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NACP), which categorized PepsiCo as an international sponsor of conflict as of September 1. This classification raised concerns, given PepsiCo’s continued operations in Russia and its contribution of taxes to the Russian budget, even in the midst of the Ukrainian invasion.

The NACP’s report pointed out that despite PepsiCo’s announcement to halt all activities in Russia, the company’s career portal still advertised over 580 job openings in the country. Additionally, while PepsiCo ceased production of popular beverages like Pepsi, 7up, Mirinda, and Mountain Dew in Russia in the previous September, it continued to distribute and sell these products within the country.

This move by the Finnish Parliament underscores the growing concern and scrutiny faced by multinational corporations involved in countries with controversial geopolitical actions. The ban on PepsiCo products in the parliamentary premises is a symbolic gesture aiming to highlight the moral and ethical responsibility of global companies in times of international conflict.

Meanwhile, reports from the Russia Briefing newspaper, citing Bloomberg, have revealed that PepsiCo’s profits in 2022 surged by 16 percent compared to the previous year, with sales revenue expected to quadruple. This raises questions about the financial motivations and implications behind PepsiCo’s continued presence in Russia, despite its commitment to halt activities in the country. The ban within the Finnish Parliament is expected to generate discussions not only about corporate ethics but also about the broader responsibility of multinational corporations in international conflicts.

Article by Prague Forum