Why it Matters
Mondelez International is significantly boosting its lobbying efforts by hiring the Smith-Free Group, which will deploy a six-person team focused on food and nutrition policies. This strategic move marks a major expansion from the company’s past approach of utilizing boutique firms for specific issues like tax or agriculture.
By the Numbers
Mondelez has been active in lobbying for nearly two decades, since 2005. Previously, the company retained specialized firms such as:
- Capitol Tax Partners LLP (2008-2025) for taxation
- S-3 Group briefly in 2025 for trade and food policy
The incoming Smith-Free team boasts six lobbyists with extensive food industry expertise:
- Michael P. Mullen (telecommunications and media)
- John Christie III (retail and health policy)
- Jack S. Deuser Jr. (tobacco regulation and agriculture)
- Trevor William Kolego (retail and emerging agricultural products)
- Jeffrey Maxwell Becker (health care and agriculture)
- Michael A. Gaffin (food industry and SNAP)
Broader Context
Currently, Congress is reviewing multiple bills that affect the snack food industry. The TRUTH in Labeling Act seeks to require front-of-package warnings for products high in sugar and sodium. Additionally, the Healthy SNAP Act of 2025 could potentially exclude cookies and candy from food stamp purchases.
Recent hearings on “Restoring Trust in FDA” and the FDA’s FY2026 Budget underscored critical food safety issues. Rep. Shontel Brown expressed concerns regarding potential funding cuts for food inspections.
The Agenda
The registration explicitly states the focus on lobbying related to “food and nutrition policies” under food industry safety and labeling codes. While no specific legislation is detailed in the filing, Mondelez’s previous lobbying efforts have concentrated on taxation, agriculture (including the Farm Bill), trade policy, and food safety regulations.
Competitive Landscape
Leading food companies are also nested in similar lobbying efforts. Companies such as Kraft Heinz Co., Unilever U.S. Inc., Nestlé USA Inc., and McKee Foods Corp. are actively lobbying regarding front-of-package labeling and dietary guidelines.
SNAC International is advocating on sodium policy and SNAP eligibility, while the National Association of Manufacturers engages in labeling requirements. Mondelez’s internal team, Mondelez Global LLC, is also lobbying actively.
Between The Lines
Nutrition policy has become a sharply divisive issue among members. Sen. Richard Blumenthal has praised the FDA’s proposed labeling rule, while Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized it as “pathetically weak.” Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Mike Lee are advocating for SNAP restrictions on junk food.
Moreover, the Food Date Labeling Act of 2025 enjoys bipartisan support, with notable endorsements from Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Chellie Pingree. The Food Chemical Reassessment Act aims to tackle the “generally recognized as safe” loophole.
The Bottom Line
In anticipation of a challenging regulatory landscape, Mondelez is leveraging the Smith-Free Group’s experience in navigating heavily regulated industries. With their established bipartisan client base, the firm is well-positioned for coalition building as debates over food policy intensify.
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All data used in this article came from Legis1. Request a demo to learn more!