These Are the 9 Most Trustworthy Food and Beverage Companies in the US

There are many reasons why someone grabs a certain snack or drink from the pantry—maybe it's a favorite brand from childhood. Maybe a health and nutrition influencer recommended it. Or maybe it just tastes good.

Regardless of why someone chooses to consume a brand, there is a level of trust that underlies that decision. That trust relies on company values, product quality and consistency and marketing strategies. Building trust between a brand and its consumers, employees and investors is, therefore, a paramount concern for companies across the food and beverage industry.

Newsweek, in partnership with data firm Statista, recently published its 2024 ranking of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America. The companies, representing 23 different industries, were evaluated along what Statista calls the three pillars of trust—from the perspectives of potential customers, employees and investors.

Each touchpoint had different criteria, including fair treatment, quality of products or services, company values, competency of leadership, fair pay and career development opportunities.

Respondents were asked to choose up to six companies they knew well and evaluate them based on their level of trust from each of those three viewpoints.

In total, there are 50 food and beverage companies on the list, the second most popular industry on the ranking, behind retail. To highlight the top achievers in the category, here are the top nine food and beverage companies on Newsweek's list of America's most trustworthy companies.

1. Quaker Oats

Many people's mornings have been made by Quaker Oats—with products including instant oatmeal, Chewy granola bars and Pearl Milling Company (formerly Aunt Jemima) pancake mix and syrup. The brand has become a breakfast staple in many U.S. households for over 140 years. Other products under the Quaker Oats Company name include Life cereal, Cap'n Crunch cereal, and other grits, oat flour, barley and cornmeal products.

The company, which is owned by PepsiCo, credits its lasting success to what it calls "the Quaker standard" that begins with the grain. Quaker Oats started making its own whole oats in 1974 to "ensure the integrity of [its] seeds while helping to improve the quality and availability of oats." It has a direct growers program that includes over 400 oat farmers and a milling facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that processes over 2 million pounds of oats daily.

"Quaker Oats has been a trusted household staple for nearly 150 years, and we take pride in being the go-to source for the goodness that comes from the mighty oat. Since 1877, we have been making delicious and nutritious oats people know, trust and love with unmatched oat expertise and unwavering commitment to quality," Katie Scupham, vice president of meal occasions at PepsiCo, told Newsweek in an email. "We work hard to advance the oat to its fullest potential so we can help people reach their fullest potential, and we are honored to continue to be invited into people's daily lives all around the globe."

According to Quaker's careers page, the top four reasons to work at the company include excellent pay and benefits, "winning" culture and commitment to diversity and inclusion, community investment and sustainability.

Quaker Oats contributes to PepsiCo's goal of supporting the planet and resilient food systems by investing in environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities through sustainable farming and reducing climate-related impacts regarding waste, water usage and carbon emissions. Quaker Oats also partners with nonprofits and food programs, such as Feed the Children, to provide nutritious foods to underserved communities and launched a $7 million initiative to provide medical and economic aid to African American and Latino communities that have been disparately affected by COVID-19.

2. Kellanova

In 2023, Kellogg Company became two separate public companies—Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co. Snack brands, such as Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats, Eggo and Town House are covered by Kellanova. WK Kellogg Co. handles cereal brands like Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Special K, Raisin Bran and Krave.

"At Kellanova, we lean into our purpose to create better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands," Kellanova spokesperson Kris Bahner told Newsweek in an email. "We also operate with a culture which underpins our values of integrity, accountability and courage to guide the way we work with our partners and with each other."

The Kellanova Better Days Promise highlights the company's mission to advance sustainable and equitable access to food as well as promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. According to its website, the company is committed to feeding 400 million people facing food insecurity through donations, child feeding programs and disaster relief, writing clear nutrition labeling on products, reducing water use and food waste and working toward renewable electricity and sustainable packaging.

Kellanova is also committed to building a culture "where all employees are inspired to share their passion, talents, ideas and can bring their authentic selves to work," according to its website. Its DEI goals include 50/50 gender parity at the management level globally and 25 percent people of color at the management level in the U.S. by the end of 2025.

3. Campbell Soup Company

Campbell Soup Company, which does business as Campbell's, was founded in 1869 as Anderson & Campbell. Besides its namesake soup, company brands include Goldfish, Pop Secret, Pepperidge Farms, Cape Cod, Kettle Brands and Snyder's of Hanover. Campbell also recently acquired Rao's and Michael Angelo's.

In addition to delivering quality products, the company website notes the efforts Campbell has made to help communities in need across the country. Campbell donated $56.4 million in food and funds in 2022 and $9 million in food and funds to COVID-19 relief. The company has also committed $1.5 million over three years to nonprofit organizations to fight racism and discrimination.

Campbell's "5 Cs" highlight the values of the company: care, character, collaboration, competitiveness and creativity. The company says online it is focused on acting with integrity, transparency and accountability, fostering inclusivity and diversity, and taking bold and innovative actions to continuously improve.

Campbell Soup Company was also featured on several other Newsweek rankings, including America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, the Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters and America's Most Responsible Companies, which were all released this year.

4. Land O' Lakes

The butter brand has been a part of American mealtimes since 1921. Land O' Lakes was the first company to make butter from sweet cream—as opposed to sour cream—and sell it as individually wrapped sticks, according to its website. It has continued to innovate, including being the first U.S. company to commercialize spreadable butter products on a national scale in 2003 and offering salted butter half-sticks in 2006 to make cooking and baking more convenient.

The company has been farmer-owned since the 1920s. Because farmers are at the root of everything the company does, Land O' Lakes is committed to supporting the U.S. agriculture industry and family farmers across the country. Today, there are more than 1,000 dairy farmers as part of the company's farmer co-op.

In addition to its dairy products, Land O' Lakes also owns Purina pet food, WinField United crop inputs and insights, and Truterra, a farmer-driven agriculture and food sustainability program in the U.S. that launched in 2016.

The company also partners with Feeding America to provide meals for those in need and has donated over 6.4 million pounds of products through its First Run Program since 2010.

For Land O' Lakes employees, there are a range of benefits that start on the first day on the job, including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible schedules, paid leave and paid time off, and retirement savings. At its headquarters in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs, the campus offers child care, a fitness center and a wellness center.

5. Hershey

Milton Hershey incorporated the Lancaster Caramel Company to establish Hershey Chocolate Company in 1864. Today, it is one of the most popular and beloved companies in the world—with brands such as Reese's, Milk Duds, Twizzlers, Kit Kat, Rolo, Heath, Icebreakers, York and Brookside. Hershey also owns other snack brands like One Bar, Skinny Pop, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels.

Hershey has more than 100 brand names in approximately 80 countries around the world that drive more than $8.9 billion in annual revenue.

Hershey has highlighted choice and transparency as snacking habits have changed—offering healthier products with zero sugar, no GMOs and more better-for-you ingredients, as well as gluten-free and sugar-free options.

The company has also set sustainability goals to use responsibly sourced ingredients, reduce emissions and packaging, and increase diversity and inclusion. Hershey has made commitments to support community economic and educational development, including through The Heartwarming Project, which supports programs that help kids and teens build social and emotional skills and improve their mental well-being.

6. General Mills

General Mills has become a breakfast staple across the U.S. The company started as a flour mill in Minneapolis in 1866 and is now known for its classic cereal brands like Trix, Total, Wheaties, Lucky Charms, Chex, Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Additionally, General Mills brands include Gold Medal Flour, Annie's, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Fiber One, Nature Valley, Häagen-Dazs, Pillsbury, Progresso and Yoplait.

"For 155 years, we have been making food the world loves—and doing so while ensuring the 'G' in General Mills stands for Good," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Mills Jeff Harmening told Newsweek in an email. "When it comes to the products we make, it's never just a box—it's a promise that care has been taken in all aspects of making it."

To reduce its environmental impact, General Mills is working to protect farmers, conserve water, reduce waste and promote renewable energy. The company has several environmental goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 30 percent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

General Mills has been included on several Newsweek rankings, including America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 and America's Most Responsible Companies 2024.

7. The Coca-Cola Company

The rise of Coca-Cola is synonymous with the rise of America. The soda was invented in 1886 and the red and white logo and sleek bottle featured in advertisements became iconic in the mid- to late 20th century.

Coca-Cola makes several products, including classic Coke variations like Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Caffeine-Free Coca Cola. Their brands also include Barq's Root Beer, Dasani, Fanta, Fresca, Gold Peak Tea, Minute Maid, Powerade, Schweppes, Glacéau Smartwater, Sprite, Topo Chico and Vitamin Water. For the full year of 2023, the company had a net revenue of $45.8 billion.

Coca-Cola has made efforts to increase the sustainability of its packaging and water usage and reduce its carbon footprint. The company website also highlights its focus on supporting the well-being of its employees through initiatives like access to mindfulness apps, free counseling sessions, financial education and learning programs and on-demand fitness apps that feature activities like running, cycling, HIIT training, boxing and yoga.

The company career page also notes that Coca-Cola is committed to prioritizing employee career development, increasing transparency and providing flexibility and choice in career growth.

8. Fresh Del Monte

For more than 135 years, Del Monte has been lining the produce aisle at local grocery stores across the country. With the mission to "inspire healthy lifestyles by providing wholesome and convenient products to everyone, everywhere," according to its website, the company continues to be an innovator in the fruit and vegetable industry.

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Del Monte Corporation is comprised of two separate companies: Del Monte Tropical Fruit and Del Monte Foods. In 1993, Del Monte Tropical Fruit changed its name to Fresh Del Monte Produce.

"This award shows the dedication and hard work of our global team members and their commitment to the company, our customers, consumers, and investors," Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman and chief executive officer at Fresh Del Monte, told Newsweek over email regarding the company's inclusion on the ranking. "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every one of our team members for their invaluable contributions, passion, and hard work. Building a trustworthy company is an extraordinary team effort, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together."

Fresh Del Monte offers commercial cargo services and has restaurants and food and beverage locations that serve their prepared foods. There is a range of produce from Fresh Del Monte that can be found in grocery stores—including bananas, melons, grapes, avocados and citrus. The company recently introduced its latest innovation, Rubyglow pineapples—a hybrid fruit grown in the rainforests of Costa Rica that has a red outer skin, bright yellow flesh and is said to have a sweet flavor.

Fresh Del Monte is committed to sustainability, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5 percent (from a 2019 base year) by 2030 and reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, transportation, distribution, waste generated in operations and employee commuting by 12.3 percent (from a 2020 base year) by 2030. Fresh Del Monte is taking a holistic approach to regenerative agriculture by conserving water and protecting soil, air and the biodiversity of the various ecosystems in which it operates.

9. Dairy Farmers of America

The Dairy Farmers of America is a global food cooperative focused on "quality, innovation and the future." The DFA was formed in 1998, bringing together family farms from four of the nation's leading milk organizations—Associate Milk Producers Inc., Mid-America Dairymen Inc., Milk Marketing Inc. and Western Dairymen Cooperative Inc.—to create a new, more efficient organization.

The DFA's mission is to "deliver value to our family farm-owners as a leading global dairy cooperative." There are nearly 11,000 dairy farmers producing dairy ingredients for other national and regional cheese, butter, ice cream and milk brands, including Hotel Bar Butter, Friendly's ice cream, DairyPure milk, Kemps, Tuscan Dairy Farms and TruMoo milk.

Ensuring its farmers are operating at the highest standards of quality and ethics is paramount to the DFA, according to its website. The group is committed to land stewardship practices that protect the planet's biodiversity and the fair treatment of animals as well as protect the well-being of dairy farmers.

The DFA Cares Foundation, along with the DFA's brands, has raised $1 million and provided dairy products for those in need across the U.S. since April 2020. The DFA has also contributed products and monetary donations for various disaster relief causes, including the American Red Cross and Convoy of Hope to help Ukrainian refugees and those impacted by tornadoes, snow or fires. The DFA also offers scholarship and internship programs to mentor the next generation of dairy and agriculture advocates.