Child Labor Tied to Palm Oil Allegedly Used by Nestle, Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, Girl Scout Cookies

Child labor in Indonesia and Malaysia is being tied to vegetable oil used by big American brand names like Nestle, Unilever, Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, and Girl Scout cookies.

The Associated Press says an investigation revealed a large amount of children in the two countries are being kept out of school, forced to work for free or little pay, and are often exposed to dangerous chemicals to make palm oil.

AP says kids are even being smuggled across borders, exposing them to the dangers of trafficking and sexual abuse.

The vegetable oil was allegedly traced back to the supply chains for popular cereals, candies and ice creams.