Better Health for All
-40
Monster Beverage's core products, energy drinks, have been linked to severe health issues, including cardiovascular and neurological problems.
1
A review documented nine cardiac arrest cases tied to these drinks, three resulting in death
2
, and a 2012 lawsuit followed a teenager's death from cardiac arrhythmia linked to caffeine toxicity from the company's drinks
3
. These incidents contribute to a record of multiple serious safety issues. The company maintains its products are safe when consumed responsibly
4
, despite ongoing public health concerns, particularly regarding marketing to youth, indicating incomplete risk disclosures. The vast majority of the company's revenue is derived from these products with established negative health outcomes. While Monster Beverage introduced Monster Energy Zero Sugar
5
, Reign Storm (a wellness energy drink)
6
, and Tour Water in 2023
7
, these represent some nutritional improvements and healthier options within a portfolio that remains predominantly unhealthy.
Fair Money & Economic Opportunity
0
Monster Beverage Corporation operates primarily in the non-alcoholic beverage sector and does not engage in financial services or initiatives promoting fair money practices or economic opportunity.
1
Consequently, all KPIs related to financial products, lending, fees, customer data, and financial inclusion are not applicable to the company's operations.
2
Fair Pay & Worker Respect
10
Monster Beverage Corporation's employee engagement is rated at 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 703 reviews
1
, with 73% of employees recommending working at the company to a friend
2
and 84% approving of the CEO
3
. The company provides fully functioning WASH services to all workers at 100% of its U.S. locations
4
. In May 2025, Monster published a Human Rights Policy and a Supplier Code of Conduct, outlining commitments to fair wages, safe working conditions, and prohibitions against forced and child labor
5
. This followed an update to its Supplier Code of Conduct in May 2020, which emphasized compliance with local and national laws, prohibiting child and forced labor, ensuring fair wages, and respecting employees' rights to unionize
6
. Monster conducts audits of certain suppliers, requiring medium- or high-risk suppliers to complete training on slavery and human trafficking
7
. The company has completed approximately 20,000 hours of training via Monster University
8
and recruited 803 participants in its mentorship program globally
9
. In 2023, Monster scored 7.6 out of 100 in the World Benchmarking Alliance's Gender Benchmark, ranking 44th in the food and agriculture sector
10
, and was encouraged to improve transparency in addressing workplace grievances
11
.
Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing
0
Monster Beverage Corporation has implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct that prohibits forced labor, child labor, and discrimination, and mandates compliance with applicable laws
1
. The company conducts due diligence, including verification and audits, and provides training for employees, auditors, and suppliers on combating forced labor and human trafficking
2
. Mechanisms are in place for individuals to raise concerns about potential policy violations
3
. The Human Rights Policy also applies to suppliers, addressing child labor, forced labor, diversity, health, safety, and bargaining rights
4
. Monster's 2023 report details a commitment to enhancing supply chain ethics
5
.
Honest & Fair Business
-40
The company explicitly states that there is no third-party verification or assurance for its Scope 1, Scope 2, or Scope 3 emissions, nor for other environmental information provided in its CDP response.
1
The company has an FCPA-compliant anti-corruption policy, as evidenced by its credit agreement, which includes a warranty of compliance with anti-corruption laws;
2
however, information on training frequency or effectiveness metrics is not available. The company maintains a well-communicated whistleblower policy with a 24/7 global compliance hotline, online reporting, and written communication channels, allowing for anonymous reporting of perceived violations.
3
Furthermore, the company's 10-K filing, dated February 11, 2026, indicates no financial restatements for previously issued financial statements.
4
Kind to Animals
-70
Monster Beverage is not certified cruelty-free, and its products are not vegan certified.
1
The company lacks transparency in cruelty-free certification.
2
Some products contain animal-derived ingredients such as dairy and carmine.
3
,
4
There is no explicit animal testing policy mentioned, and concerns exist regarding the use of ingredients, like artificial dyes, that were previously tested on animals.
5
No War, No Weapons
-30
Monster Beverage Corporation's core business is non-alcoholic beverages, with no direct ties to military goods, arms production, or military contracts.
1
The company does not derive revenue from arms contracts, develops no dual-use technology, has no dual-use portfolio to screen, and maintains zero exposure to controversial weapons.
2
Consequently, there are no defense assets requiring divestment.
3
However, the company does not invest in peacebuilding or disarmament initiatives.
4
Its contributions, such as a $500,000 donation to the Call of Duty Endowment in September 2023
5
and support for organizations aiding military personnel with scholarships and morale tours,
6
are directed towards veterans and active military personnel, not peacebuilding or conflict mitigation. In its supply chain, the company has a Human Rights Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct.
7
As of June 30, 2022, 30% of supplier contracts incorporated this code,
8
with an expectation to reach a majority by 2024.
9
Approximately 60% of suppliers completed responses to Slavery and Trafficking Risk Templates by December 31, 2023.
10
An annual human rights risk assessment program covers all suppliers of Monster's beverages as of December 31, 2023,
11
with additional suppliers engaged in corrective action plans.
12
The company aligns with the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ILO's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work,
13
referencing these principles in its Human Rights Policy.
14
Planet-Friendly Business
-60
Monster Beverage Corporation's total Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions were 2.194 million tCO2e in 2023, an increase from 1.87 million tCO2e in 2022.
1
The company committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in early 2024 to set 1.5-degree aligned emissions reduction targets by early 2026, with validation pending.
2
In 2023, only 0.035% of its total energy consumption was sourced from renewables.
3
Total water withdrawals in 2023 were 429,980 m³ against a revenue of $7,140,027,000, resulting in 60.22 m³ per $1 million revenue.
4
However, 50.50% of these withdrawals were from water-stressed areas.
5
Monster cans, which constitute over 97% of products, contain 68-73% recycled aluminum.
6
The company has no biodiversity actions or formal no-deforestation or no-conversion targets in place and has not committed to a net-zero target.
7
A TCFD Index is included in its 2023 Sustainability Report, but a full climate-related scenario analysis is planned for 2024, following a first climate risk screening in 2023.
8
Respect for Cultures & Communities
20
Monster Beverage has not reported any cultural appropriation incidents; its marketing focuses on universal youthful rebellion rather than targeting specific cultures.
1
The company provides a global, anonymous compliance hotline, accessible 24/7 in several languages, and an online reporting portal for community concerns.
2
While the compliance hotline and slavery and human trafficking risk survey are available in multiple languages, the company's general language inclusivity for products and communications is at basic levels.
3
Monster Beverage has a commitment to fair and equitable remediation of adverse human rights impacts and implements corrective action, including potentially terminating business dealings with offending suppliers, indicating a framework for responding to incidents.
4
The company's charitable giving includes contributions to organizations like the Call of Duty Endowment, but does not specifically focus on cultural heritage organizations.
5
Safe & Smart Tech
10
Monster Beverage Corporation received a cybersecurity rating of 96 out of 100 from SecurityScorecard
1
, reflecting a strong security posture that includes patching cadence
2
. The company's privacy policy, last updated June 21, 2024
3
, outlines user privacy rights such as the right to know, access, data portability, correction, deletion, opt-out of sale or targeted advertising, and to withdraw consent
4
, providing forms to exercise these rights
5
. However, the company does not comply with "do not track" signals
6
. Monster Beverage engages cybersecurity experts for regular audits and threat assessments
7
. The company retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary, considering factors like service provision and legal obligations
8
. It acknowledges being subject to regulations such as GDPR and CCPA
9
, relies on standard contractual clauses for international data transfers from the EEA and UK to the US
10
, and provides avenues for users to lodge complaints with supervisory authorities
11
.
Zero Waste & Sustainable Products
-20
Over 97% of Monster's products are packaged in 100% recyclable aluminum cans.
1
,
2
The average Monster can contains between 68% and 73% recycled content.
3
The company has implemented several waste reduction initiatives, including eliminating single-use plastic water bottles for headquarters employees, preventing 750,000 plastic bottles annually, and investing $5.6 million in a comprehensive recycling program in 2022.
4
Other initiatives include transitioning to lighter, recyclable packaging materials.
5
Monster aims to recover 65% of product packaging by 2025.
6
However, in 2023, the company had no specific environmental requirements for suppliers as part of the purchasing process, although it plans to introduce them within the next two years.
7
Monster encourages product recycling and informs consumers about the use of recycled materials in packaging.
8