Sustainability

Poor rice quality contributes to $3.39bn losses

Poor rice quality contributes to $3.39bn losses

By Rod Addy

Rice quality issues contribute to $3.39bn a year at least in global costs to the food industry from rice waste, significantly boosting the importance of quality testing.

The Prince of Wales told the German conference on regional food security that cheap food production is really

“The price of apparently cheap food is costing nothing less than the Earth.”

We are not amused: Prince launches scathing attack on food industry

By Nathan Gray

The Prince of Wales has called on Europe to ‘recalibrate and re-gear’ its food systems towards a local model of food production and distribution - while issuing a wide-ranging attack on current practices within the food industry.

EU ministers agree on fisheries policy reform

EU ministers agree on fisheries policy reform

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

European fisheries ministers have agreed on an overhaul of the Common Fisheries Policy, with the hope that it will end decades of arguing over fishing quotas and help rebuild fish stocks.

About 2 billion people already routinely eat insects, the FAO says

FAO touts edible insects as ‘valuable sources of nutrition’

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Insects could play a vital role in food security in the coming decades – but disgust remains a barrier for consumers in many Western countries, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The new committee includes major agricultural companies, as well as government and food industry representatives

Agro-food industry unites on sustainable supply issues

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Some of the world’s biggest agriculture firms have united with food industry and scientific partners to form a steering committee, intended to share initiatives for achieving a sustainable global food and water supply chain.

Non-food plants used as food, packaging material

Now non-food plants can help feed the world

By Rod Addy

Researchers have produced starch from plants not usually used for food purposes, potentially opening up whole new sources for foods and packaging materials.

Industry has welcomed the EU initiative to boost sustainable business

EC aims to simplify 'confusing' green claims

By Kacey Culliney

The complexity and variety of 'green' initiatives for products in the EU has prompted a new initiative to create a single market for eco-claims, says the European Commission (EC).

Looking at the whole supply chain could improve environmental and financial returns

Better understanding of consumption to help target eco strategies

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Nestlé and UK supermarkets Sainsbury’s and the Cooperative Group have entered into a pilot project to improve the environmental performance of some of their products, say the project’s organisers at the Product Sustainability Forum (PSF).

Unilever hails one-third sustainable sourcing

Unilever hails one-third sustainable sourcing

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Unilever has said it now sources more than a third of its agricultural raw materials sustainably, up from just 14% two years ago and 24% in 2011.

RSPO disputes Rainforest Foundation palm oil food guide

RSPO disputes Rainforest Foundation palm oil food guide

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

A Rainforest Foundation ethical food product guide based on companies’ palm oil use unjustly discourages the use of palm oil even if it is sustainably sourced, claims the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Companies increasingly see sustainable supply as a future risk to business

Sustainable supply seen as emerging future risk for food companies

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Food safety, quality and financial issues are considered the top three risks to business for most food companies, but sustainable supply is emerging as a growing area of concern, according to a new survey from DNV Business Assurance.

Standardised CSR guidelines could improve credibility

Standardised CSR guidelines drive credibility: EC report

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

CSR – corporate social responsibility – is becoming increasingly coherent across the globe due to greater uptake of internationally recognised standards, according to a new European Commission report.

RSPO said it would welcome discussion with investors to transform palm oil supply

RSPO welcomes deforestation consideration in palm oil investments

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has welcomed the decision of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth fund to pull investment from certain palm oil companies – but has disagreed with its divestment from firms that are on the path to RSPO certification.

Nestlé has updated many of its previous goals on nutrition and sustainability

Nestlé outlines sustainability and nutrition goals

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Nestlé has published a raft of sustainability and nutrition commitments it aims to meet by 2020 or earlier, including sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving nutrition labelling.

ABF calls Oxfam food ethics attack ‘ridiculous’

ABF calls Oxfam food ethics attack ‘ridiculous’

By Shane Starling

Associated British Foods – worst-in-class in an Oxfam report critical of 10 food giants for essentially operating under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) “veil of secrecy” – has hit back, slamming the report ‘s findings as “ridiculous”.

EC approves animal meal in fish food

EC approves animal meal in fish food

By Rod Addy

The European Commission (EC) has approved the use of pork and poultry meal for fish feed, flying in the face of UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommendations.

A simple 'eat less' message may alienate consumers, the report says

Focus on eating better meat rather than less, report suggests

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Focusing on eating ‘better’ meat could attract broader acceptance than a simple ‘eat less meat’ message and benefit the environment, people’s health and animal welfare, according to a new report from WWF-UK and the Food Ethics Council.

IOI Loders Croklaan to increase supply of RSPO certified palm oil

IOI Loders Croklaan to increase supply of RSPO certified palm oil

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Palm oil supplier IOI Loders Croklaan has said it intends to increase its volumes of segregated certified sustainable palm oil to 30% of total sales and certify all its plantations to Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards by the end of...

Fair trade supply is on the up, says the new report

Fairtrade demand spurs rapid increase in supply

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Fairtrade International has said the number of farmers and workers benefitting from the system increased by 13% in 2011 as the food and drink industry continues to pledge its support, according to a new report.

Sustainability messages and dietary advice need to be coordinated

How compatible are sustainability and nutrition?

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Health and nutrition guidance should be integrated with messages on reducing the diet’s environmental impact in order to ensure consistent advice, according to a new paper published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.

RTRS and GMP+ sign responsible soy certification agreement

RTRS and GMP+ sign responsible soy certification agreement

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) and Netherlands-based certification agency GMP+ International have signed a cooperation agreement in order to speed uptake of certified responsible soy and simplify the certification process.

Cocoa deficit unlikely, says Euromonitor. Photo Credit: World Cocoa Foundation

No cocoa crisis in 2017, says Euromonitor

By Oliver Nieburg

Euromonitor International is predicting that demand for cocoa products will not outstrip supply by 2017, contrary to the International Cocoa Organization’s (ICCO) forecasted cocoa deficit.

Up to half of global food production goes to waste

Up to half of global food production goes to waste

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

As much as half of all food produced globally goes to waste, according to a new report that suggests governments in developed countries should instigate policies to change consumer expectations and attitudes to food waste.

Too many eco-labels could hinder uptake, says Organic Monitor

Too many eco-labels could hinder uptake, says Organic Monitor

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

A proliferation of eco-labels could have adverse consequences, as food manufacturers question the value of certification schemes in light of a fragmented market and multiple fees, according to Organic Monitor.

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