Sustainability Reporting in the Food Processing Sector - Global ...

Sustainability Reporting Today: The Readers’ Verdict
The companies that reported on this theme tended
to do so descriptively, including discussions
regarding legal requirements for product
claims, and company policy towards marketing
to vulnerable groups such as new mothers
and children. Additional descriptive reporting
addressed their policy towards purchasing
advertising space – for instance, a policy of
not advertising in elementary schools. A few
companies stated the minimum age of children
they advertise to.
Malnutrition & poverty
10 out of the companies sampled reported on
the theme of malnutrition, which is not explicitly
covered by any G3 indicators.
Reporters generally described their internal
policy on GMOs, and also their policy towards
stakeholders or national legislation on GMOs.
One reporter stated that, when GMO is used, this
will be clearly stated on product labels. In terms
of quantifiable data, only 1 of these 6 listed the
number or percent of products that are GMO-free.
Low frequency themes
Chronic disease prevention
Chronic diseases and the role of food in mitigating/
managing them were reported on or referred to
by 6 companies out of the total set of sampled
food processors, and this theme is not covered
specifically by any G3 indicators.
The reporting companies generally described their
intention to make products accessible to those
with low purchasing power parity, or stated that
they formulate special products to meet the needs
of individuals with poor diets. A few companies
disclosed the number of products in their line
that are fortified with vitamins and nutrients and
suitable for individuals with poor diets.
Fair & affordable price of products
Making products affordable to consumers with
lower incomes/purchasing power parity was
reported on by 8 of the companies investigated.
This theme is not covered specifically by any G3
indicators.
The reporting generally consisted of a brief
description of the company’s intention to offer
products at a fair price. One company reported
specific initiatives undertaken, including offering
products in smaller, low-cost packages, and
presented quantifiable data including a price
comparison of one of their products in several
different countries.
Genetically modified organisms
6 out of the 20 companies we chose to investigate
reported on the use of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) in their products, or outlined
their policy towards biotechnology. This theme
does not directly relate to any G3 indicators.
In practice, the reporting tended to consist of a
brief statement recognizing the role of the food
processing industry in fighting chronic disease
and none of the companies used quantifiable
information to address this theme.
Smell & noise complaints
Stakeholder complaints regarding odor and noise
from operations were reported at 6 of the sample
companies. This theme is not explicitly covered
by any G3 indicators. Most of these companies
described the processes for lodging and addressing
complaints and gave examples or case studies
of how they were handled. Only half of these 6
companies disclosed quantitative information such
as the number of complaints received per year and
the number of facilities upgrades made in response
to complaints.
Residues
Only 4 of the companies considered reported on
residues. This theme is not covered specifically
by any G3 indicators. The reporters generally
described their processes to screen for residues on
either raw materials or final products, usually as it
related to food safety. In addition, these companies
generally referred to national standards and limits
for residues and one company offered a case study.
In terms of quantitative disclosures, only one of the
four companies who reported on residues offered
quantitative information on the allowable amount
of residues per product unit.
12
© 2008 GRI