Who Owns Maizena?

Maizena operates under Unilever's corporate sustainability framework.

Regenerative agriculture: Unilever had 23 active regenerative agriculture projects covering approximately 130,000 hectares by the end of 2024, with plans to expand to over 200,000 hectares in 2025. The company has set goals to implement regenerative agricultural practices on 1 million hectares of agricultural land and to protect and restore 1 million hectares of natural ecosystems by 2030. These programs support smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable practices.

Sustainable sourcing: Unilever's Sustainable Agricultural Principles guide the company's approach to sourcing agricultural ingredients like corn. The principles cover soil health, water management, biodiversity protection, and fair labor practices. The company works with suppliers to implement water-efficient irrigation, soil conservation techniques, and integrated pest management.

Climate targets: Unilever has committed to achieving zero emissions across its global operations by 2039 and uses 100% renewable electricity at its manufacturing sites. Production facilities for Maizena are subject to Unilever's environmental standards, including energy efficiency improvements, waste reduction programs, and water conservation initiatives.

Hecho en Mexico certification: In September 2025, Unilever Mexico joined the Mexican government's Hecho en Mexico initiative, certifying its domestic production. This certification promotes national products and supports local supply chains.

Limitations: Maizena's sustainability claims are based on Unilever's corporate-level programs rather than brand-specific certification. Corn cultivation requires significant water and land resources, and conventional farming uses pesticides and fertilizers that can contaminate waterways. Much of the corn starch imported into Mexico comes from the United States, requiring transportation that generates carbon emissions. Unilever's sustainability reporting is voluntary and self-audited.

Maizena does not receive individual brand awards as a food ingredient product. Recognition is based on market presence and brand longevity:

• Over 120 years in Mexico: Maizena has been sold in Mexico for over 120 years, making it one of the longest continuously marketed food brands in the country
• Hecho en Mexico certification (2025): Unilever Mexico, including Maizena production, received Hecho en Mexico certification from the Mexican government in September 2025
• Unilever sustainability recognition: Unilever has been recognized for its regenerative agriculture programs and sustainability commitments, which extend to Maizena's supply chain

No major recalls: Maizena has not been involved in any major product recalls. Corn starch is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by regulatory agencies and has a long history of safe use in food preparation. No specific safety alerts or regulatory actions have targeted Maizena products in recent years.

Agricultural practices (ongoing): The corn starch industry faces scrutiny regarding agricultural practices, including pesticide use, fertilizer runoff, and environmental impact of corn cultivation. While Unilever's sustainable sourcing programs address these concerns, conventional corn farming remains resource-intensive.

Clean label trends (ongoing): Some consumers have shifted toward alternative thickening agents perceived as more natural, including arrowroot, tapioca starch, and potato starch. Conventional corn starch has faced criticism from clean label advocates, though Maizena emphasizes its purity as a single-ingredient product.

Unilever corporate controversies: Unilever has faced various controversies in other parts of its portfolio, including environmental practices, labor issues, and marketing claims. These have not specifically involved the Maizena brand or corn starch products.