The Hershey Company was recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies for the second year in a row, the snack company said in a press release.;

Named by Ethisphere on its annual list of The World’s Most Ethical Companies, Hershey was honored among 136 global companies spanning 44 industries and 20 countries for outperforming its “peers and competitors financially, demonstrating a tangible return on investment for doing the right thing. Honorees have demonstrated a commitment to ethical business practices through robust programs that positively impact employees, communities, and broader stakeholders, as well as contributing to sustainable, long-term business growth.” 

The companies on this year’s list outperformed “a comparable index of large-cap companies by 13.6 percentage points over a five-year period,” said the statement.

Adding to its accolades, The Hershey Company has also been recognized in the top 50 companies for diversity five years running, as No. 1 in the Food, Beverage and Tobacco industry category on the JUST 100 companies list, and is a certified Great Place to Work.  

“True to the legacy of its founder Milton Hershey, the company is dedicated to doing what's right for the planet, investing in its workforce, enhancing the livelihood of communities and providing a brighter future for children around the world,” wrote Hershey’s in a statement when it was recognized on the JUST 100 list last year. The company noted its commitment to responsible cocoa and ingredient sourcing, among other ESG initiatives.

PepsiCo, Kellanova and Grupo Bimbo were also honored on the 2024 most ethical companies list in the food and beverage category.