Corporate Social Responsibility Report - Ahold

Healthy livingOur approachWe want to make a positive contributionto the health of our customers, employeesand other stakeholders by offeringhealthy choices in our assortment as wellas information, activities, and educationalresources promoting the benefits ofa healthy diet and lifestyle.Healthy living is one of the most vital elements in our vision of howto operate as a socially responsible company. Our companies arecommitted to providing healthier product alternatives, expertadvice and innovative shopping experiences that inspire ourcustomers to make healthy choices. As a food provider, we seesignificant opportunities to further develop our approach tohealthy living in a way that benefits customers while differentiatingour offering and strengthening our brands.Developing insightOur companies have always provided quality, variety (including awide range of healthy choices) and information to our customers.In the 1980s, ICA had already put in place a healthy productlabeling system that later formed one of the fundamentals of anationwide standard adopted by the Swedish government.At the start of the new millennium, the World Health Organization(WHO) concluded that the impact of an unhealthy lifestyle wasone of the main threats facing the world, and brought awarenessaround the globe to a problem our companies were alreadystarting to address.We are bringing together experts from both inside and outside thecompany to share insight on how we can contribute to promotinghealthy lifestyles. We now work closely with universities, industrybodies, expert scientists and nutritionists to find ways to providehealthy choices based on scientific research, technologicaladvances and good social practices.Sharing best practicesIn 2004, Ahold’s healthy living team, made up of experts fromacross the company, was officially formed. Today, the teamhelps Ahold make the most of its internal expertise and createsbroad programs that our operating companies can adapt fortheir local consumers.HighlightsLearning to live healthierThe class lunch program demonstrates to childrenthat a healthy lunch can be tasty and fun ⁄page 11Crazy about cookingThe “Healthy Madness” cookbook is aimedat getting children and parents to cook together⁄page 13Expert adviceAt Giant-Carlisle’s Camp Hill store a nutritionistadvises customers, supporting a focus onhealthy living ⁄page 15Buying the good lifeICA Gott liv! (ICA Good life!) brand of products,containing less sugar, fat and salt and morefiber, has become one of the largest privatebrand ranges in Sweden ⁄page 13More mattersStop & Shop/Giant-Landover, along with Giant-Carlisle, won the Produce for Better HealthFoundation award for efforts to promote a dietrich in fruit and vegetables ⁄page 1210Ahold CSR Report 2007