Maxwell House
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
US coffee brand selling canned, instant and pod coffee.
Maxwell House's parent, Kraft Heinz, scored 8/100 in the 2026 KnowTheChain benchmark, and we couldn't confirm where it gets most of its coffee.
Also worth knowing
Most coffee is grown in countries such as Brazil and Vietnam, where pay is usually below a living wage.
Better-graded beans and roasters
Graded higher than Maxwell House, selling the same kinds of things.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Maxwell House? Send a right of reply.
Compare Maxwell House with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 5 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a failing or very low rating (KnowTheChain 8/100 in 2026, for the company it's rated with). Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 5
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where coffee is usually grown: worker rights are poorly protected in Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: KnowTheChain 8/100 (2026, the company it's rated with)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where its coffee is grown
We couldn't confirm where Maxwell House gets most of its coffee, so this shows where coffee is usually grown.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 35% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 20% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Colombia | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Indonesia | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Ethiopia | 7% | Systematic violations | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Honduras | 6% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Peru | 5% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Uganda | 5% | Systematic violations | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Guatemala | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: coffee is on the US Department of Labor child or forced labour list for over a dozen countries, and farm-gate prices often fall below a living income.
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes Kraft Heinz publishes nothing on where Maxwell House coffee is grown, how much is certified or verified, or how it checks coffee farms for child or forced labour; its 2025 ESG report covers palm oil and tomatoes but not coffee. Its group human rights work relies on Sedex and EcoVadis supplier assessments. Kraft Heinz scored 8/100 in the 2026 KnowTheChain food and beverage benchmark, which lists coffee among its high-risk commodities.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| KnowTheChain | Problem found | Owner Kraft Heinz scored 8/100 and ranked 27th of 45 in the 2026 KnowTheChain food and beverage benchmark. View |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Kraft Heinz lodges a UK modern slavery statement (2024); it does not mention coffee. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Kraft Heinz Australia lodges modern slavery statements for its Australian businesses (Heinz, Golden Circle); they do not cover coffee. View |
| Fairtrade (incl. FLOCERT and Fairtrade ANZ) | Not listed | Maxwell House coffee sold by Kraft Heinz is not Fairtrade certified, and no certified share is reported. View |
| US Department of Labor goods lists | Listed | Coffee from Brazil is listed for child and forced labour, and coffee from several other origins for child labour. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- KnowTheChain 2026 Food & Beverage Scorecard: Kraft Heinz · search the archive · Scored 8/100, ranked 27 of 45 (2026); coffee listed among high-risk commodities.
- US DOL List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor · search the archive · Coffee from Brazil listed for child and forced labour.
- Kraft Heinz Modern Slavery Statement 2024 (UK) · search the archive · Group modern slavery statement for 2024; uses Sedex; coffee not named.
- Kraft Heinz pauses plans to split into 2 companies (Supermarket News, 2026) · search the archive · Kraft Heinz paused its planned separation in February 2026.
- Maxwell House House Blend Medium Roast Ground Coffee (Amazon Australia) · search the archive · Maxwell House sold online with delivery in Australia.
- Maxwell House Dark Roast Coffee (USA Foods Australia) · search the archive · Imported Maxwell House sold by an Australian online retailer.
Published by Maxwell House or its owner
- Kraft Heinz 2025 ESG Report · search the archive · Responsible sourcing section covers palm oil, tomatoes and animal welfare; coffee not covered.
Company details
- Owned by
- The Kraft Heinz Company
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Maxwell House ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/maxwell-house, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Maxwell House.