IFF boosts sustainability efforts with FReSH food waste commitment

By Will Chu

- Last updated on GMT

©iStock/danymages
©iStock/danymages

Related tags Sustainability Iff

The World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) welcomes International Flavors & Fragrances to its food waste initiative that counts Nestlé, Kellogg, Danone and PepsiCo as members.

The sensory experience innovators become the 39th​ business to join the Swiss-based Food Reform for Sustainability and Health (FReSH) project, set up earlier this year to promote responsibly produced, healthy diets.

“I am proud for International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) to engage in such a critical initiative that impacts so many people’s lives daily,”​ said Andreas Fibig, IFF chairman and CEO.

“We are passionate about doing the right thing and happy to have the opportunity to contribute in areas where we can make a positive difference in the world.”

FReSH are behind a number of innovative plans in which the business community and research institutions contribute to efforts to develop sustainable food creation and reduce food waste.

One example is the work being done to produce alternative animal proteins. Protix, a Dutch start-up produces insect-based ingredients for the animal feed and pet food industries.

Other global companies are also working on offering alternatives to meat use, such as Kellogg's, who make veggie foods with plant-based proteins in its MorningStar Farms products. 

The EAT Foundation (EAT) works closely with the Lancet Commission in assessing connections between diet, human health and the state of the planet and proposing a series of science-based recommendations to fix global food systems.

‘Pushing boundaries’

According to Dr Gregory Yep, EVP, chief global scientific and sustainability officer at IFF one-third of food produced is lost or wasted, amounting to about 1.3bn tons annually, with a global cost of more than €344bn ($400bn).

“IFF is deeply connected with the global food industry, and we are committed to finding sustainable and responsible solutions that will lead to a regenerative, abundant and healthy world.”

“We thank WBCSD and EAT for creating this phenomenal partnership and we look forward to pushing the boundaries to ensure more people have access to healthy, affordable and sustainably produced food,”​ added Dr Yep.

As well as Nestlé, Kellogg, Danone and PepsiCo, other FReSH members include Arla, Givaudan and Unilever, who through its flagship brand Hellman’s has created a new chutney in the UK that uses red and green tomatoes and adjusted seasoning.

Hellman's had previously bought and used red tomatoes, causing tomato producers in Spain to discard green tomatoes.

IFF and sustainability

Although its newest member, IFF has addressed consumer demand for more transparency with the publication of its 2016 sustainability report​.

Here Fibig, revealed his firm’s work in its supply chain, achieving two new For Life certifications, for Egyptian geranium and French orris root.

In addition, IFF revised its Vendor Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption Policy pledging to protect the rights of its employees and the employees it works with through its Global Human Rights Policy.

“We are pleased to welcome IFF to FReSH and to integrate IFF’s leadership and commitment into the Food Loss and Waste workstream,”​ said Peter Bakker, WBCSD’s CEO.

“FReSH aims to transform global food systems and we are confident IFF will bring valuable industry experience to the table.”

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