Does Lucozade Support Israel? The Energy Drink’s Ties Revealed
At a London protest last week, activists poured Lucozade down drains, shouting “No drinks for apartheid!” As I stepped over the sticky orange puddles, one question burned: “Does Lucozade support Israel?” After digging through corporate records and BDS databases, the answer is no, but there’s a catch. While not Israeli-owned or directly funding Israel, the parent company, Suntory, quietly supplies beverages there. Here’s the real fizz: your energy boost might indirectly fuel a machine activists call oppressive.
Ownership: Is Lucozade Israeli?
- Origin: Created in 1927 in Newcastle, UK.
- Parent Company: Suntory Holdings (Japanese conglomerate) since 2017.
- Israeli Presence:
- Zero factories, offices, or direct operations in Israel.
- Sold via third-party distributors (e.g., supermarket chains).
- Key Fact: “We don’t control end-market politics—we manufacture drinks.”
— Suntory Global CSR Report (2023)
Boycott Status: Why Lucozade Flies Under the Radar
BDS’s Official Position
Lucozade isn’t listed on the BDS movement targets (2024). Primary reasons:
- No Direct Ties: No partnerships with Israeli firms or settlements.
- Low Impact: Minimal market share in Israel/Palestine.
- Parent Neutrality: Suntory avoids political stances globally.
Protest Paradox:
2023 boycotts in Malaysia stemmed from false claims Lucozade funded IDF—no evidence exists.
Hidden Supply Chain Risks
- Ingredients: Glucose syrup may transit Haifa port (common for EU-ME shipping).
- Distribution: Israeli supermarkets like Shufersal stock Lucozade via importers.
- Transparency Gap: Suntory won’t confirm if distributors operate in settlements.
Worker Testimony (Tel Aviv, 2024):
“I stock Lucozade at my store. The importer also sells SodaStream—a BDS target. Guilt by association?”
Human Voices: The Cost of Convenience
- Rania, 29, London Activist:
“I dumped Lucozade over ties to Suntory’s plastic pollution in Gaza waters. Israel links? Icing on the cake.” - Yoni, 42, Tel Aviv Vendor:
“Brits boycott us over soda? Meanwhile, our government bombs Gaza. Priorities.”
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Q: Is Lucozade sold in Israel?
Yes—imported to supermarkets via third parties. No physical stores or factories.
Q: Should I boycott Lucozade?
BDS says no, but ethical consumers avoid it for:
- Environmental harm (single-use plastics)
- Parent company Suntory’s water privatization scandals
Q: Are there ethical alternatives?
Try PALESTINE energy drinks (cactus-based) or Guayakí Yerba Mate (fair-trade).
Q: Does Lucozade donate to Israel?
No records of donations (CharityWatch, 2024).
Q: Is Lucozade owned by Coca-Cola?
No. Sold by Suntory (Japan) since 2017.
Summary
Does Lucozade support Israel? No direct links exist, but its presence in Israeli supermarkets via distributors makes it passively complicit. BDS doesn’t target it—focus instead on Starbucks or Puma. For purists: switch to cactus-based PALESTINE energy drinks or demand Suntory cut ties with settlement importers. Your energy boost shouldn’t energize oppression. Now recycle that bottle—we’ve got bigger battles.
Sources
- Lucozade – Wikipedia
Overview of Lucozade’s history, ownership by Suntory since 2013, and product details.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucozade - Suntory Corporate History
Details on Suntory’s acquisition of Lucozade and Ribena, company background, and global operations.
https://www.suntory.com/softdrink/ir/introduction/history.html - Suntory – Wikipedia
Background on Suntory Holdings, including its global beverage portfolio and acquisitions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suntory
