Who Owns Fruit of the Loom?

Fruit of the Loom does not hold independent sustainability certifications. The brand operates its own sustainability program, which it calls "The Fruit Way."

The company reports that it has achieved significant emissions reductions. According to its sustainability reporting, Fruit of the Loom achieved a 68% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 47% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2024, from a 2018 baseline. The company aims to use 100% renewable electricity in its operations by 2030 and maintain zero waste in its owned facilities.

Fruit of the Loom's direct ownership of manufacturing facilities in Honduras and El Salvador allows for tighter control over labor conditions, worker safety, and wages compared to brands that rely on third-party contract manufacturing. The company's facilities are subject to internal and external audits regarding human rights and labor standards. The company has published a Supplier Code of Conduct and reports on compliance with international labor standards.

On packaging, Fruit of the Loom has implemented sustainable packaging initiatives at its manufacturing plant in Morocco. All cartons are made from 100% recycled fibers and use mineral-free ink for printing. The company is working to reduce its use of polybags and stretch film in packaging.

Fruit of the Loom aims for 100% sustainable cotton sourcing and is expanding its use of recycled polyester in its product lines. The company works with cotton suppliers who meet environmental and social responsibility standards.

The company has scored on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Specific scores and ratings vary by year.

As part of Berkshire Hathaway, Fruit of the Loom contributes to the conglomerate's overall sustainability profile. Berkshire Hathaway was ranked 53rd in the Top 250 World's Most Sustainable Companies 2025 by a sustainability publication, partly due to the environmental initiatives of subsidiaries like Fruit of the Loom.

Fruit of the Loom has not been subject to major product safety recalls in recent years. The brand's products are basic apparel items that do not typically carry significant safety risks.

The company's most significant historical controversy is its 1999 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The bankruptcy resulted from approximately $1.3 billion in debt accumulated through aggressive expansion and acquisitions in the 1980s and 1990s, combined with operational mismanagement and declining profitability. The bankruptcy led to the company's acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in 2002.

Fruit of the Loom has faced scrutiny from labor rights organizations regarding wages and working conditions at its Central American manufacturing facilities. Honduras and El Salvador have been the focus of international labor rights campaigns, and Fruit of the Loom's facilities in these countries have been subject to criticism. However, the company's direct ownership model is generally cited as providing better working conditions and oversight compared to brands that use third-party contract manufacturers with less visibility into working conditions.

The company has faced trade and tariff pressures related to its Central American manufacturing operations. Changes in US trade policy, including tariff structures and trade agreements like CAFTA-DR (Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement), affect the company's cost structure. Fruit of the Loom has advocated for trade policies that support continued manufacturing in Central America.

No major lawsuits, regulatory enforcement actions, or product safety scandals have been attributed to Fruit of the Loom in recent years.