Who Owns Gamesa?

Gamesa operates under PepsiCo's pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) sustainability framework. The program focuses on three pillars: Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices.

PepsiCo has committed to sustainably sourcing 100 percent of its key ingredients, including the wheat and sugar essential to Gamesa's cookie production. The company works with wheat farmers in Mexico to promote sustainable farming practices, water conservation, and soil health. Gamesa sources wheat from Mexican farmers who participate in these sustainability programs.

PepsiCo has set a goal to design 100 percent of its packaging to be recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or reusable. Gamesa packaging has been optimized to reduce material usage while maintaining product freshness. The brand has implemented lightweight packaging initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of its product lines.

PepsiCo has committed to becoming net zero by 2040 and achieving 100 percent renewable electricity for its operations by 2030. Gamesa manufacturing plants in Mexico participate in these initiatives, implementing energy-efficient production processes and water conservation programs. However, PepsiCo relies on third-party manufacturing for some products, which limits direct control over environmental impacts.

Gamesa is not certified organic, fair trade, or B Corp. These certifications are not standard in the mass-market cookie category. The brand's nutritional information is disclosed on packaging, and products carry Mexico's front-of-package warning labels where required by NOM-051 regulations.

Gamesa does not have a significant independent awards history. The brand's recognition comes primarily from its market position and consumer brand loyalty data.

Gamesa has been consistently ranked among Mexico's most chosen consumer brands by Kantar's Brand Footprint Mexico index. The brand's century-long history and over 50 percent market share in the Mexican cookie market make it one of the most recognized food brands in Mexico.

Gamesa is recognized as the leading cookie and cracker Hispanic brand in the U.S. grocery channel, according to PepsiCo's own marketing materials. The brand's expansion from nine products in 1992 to a comprehensive U.S. portfolio represents a successful case of international brand expansion targeting a specific demographic.

PepsiCo Mexico, which includes Gamesa operations, has received recognition as a top employer in Mexico, including certifications for diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture from organizations such as the Great Place to Work institute.

2023 Arcoiris Marshmallow Cookies Recall: In late 2023, Comercializadora PepsiCo S. de R.L. de C.V. issued a voluntary recall for specific lots of Gamesa Arcoiris Marshmallow Cookies distributed in the United States. The recall was initiated due to potential undeclared milk allergens, posing a risk to consumers with milk allergies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall. Affected products were removed from retail channels. No confirmed illnesses were reported.

NOM-051 Nutritional Labeling (2020-Present): Gamesa, like all major food and beverage brands sold in Mexico, has had to comply with Mexico's strict front-of-package nutritional warning labels under NOM-051 regulations. The law mandates black stop-sign warnings on products high in calories, sugar, sodium, or saturated fats. This required significant packaging redesigns across Gamesa's cookie portfolio. While not a recall or controversy in the traditional sense, the regulation has forced Gamesa and other snack brands to reformulate products and redesign packaging, with some products displaying multiple warning labels.

Nutritional Content Concerns (Ongoing): As Mexico's largest cookie manufacturer, Gamesa faces ongoing scrutiny from health advocates regarding sugar content, artificial ingredients, and the nutritional profile of its products. Mexico has one of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the world, and food manufacturers including Gamesa have faced pressure from public health organizations to reduce sugar and improve nutritional profiles. Gamesa has developed product variations with reduced sugar content in response.