‘Large food manufacturers score below average in sustainable procurement’. Whilst Unilever, Ahold, Danone, Coca-Cola and Ferrero rate highly.

CAPE TOWN - Only a handful of leading corporations in the food industry have shown to play an active part in the sustainability of ‘soft commodities’ such as palm oil, soya, sugar and fish. Most companies do not yet have sustainability on their agendas.

These statements are made in the ‘Slow Road to Sustainability’ report by the World Wide Fund for Nature.

The World Wide Fund for Nature researched the sustainability policies of 256 food manufacturers and retailers that are members of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). The report was published in the lead-up to the annual CGF meeting. The report claims only 9% of CGF members are considered as front-runners on sustainable procurement in the food industry, these include - but are not limited to - Unilever, Ahold, Danone, Coca-Cola and Ferrero.

The World Wide Fund for Nature thinks even these companies can improve their policies regarding sustainable procurement. Approximately 28% of the report’s participating companies in the survey failed to submit information regarding their sustainability policies.