A number of US retailers, including Ahold Delhaize, Albertsons and Target, have joined with global food manufacturers like Kellogg's and Kraft Heinz to form the North American Sustainable Palm Oil Network (NASPON).
The aim of the group is to educate and assist North American companies in making and delivering on commitments to source sustainable palm oil.
“The formation of NASPON brings together like-minded organisations working collectively to find long-term, industry-wide solutions to secure certified-sustainable palm oil in their products,” said Darrel Webber, CEO of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.
“NASPON will bring a much-needed dialogue of sustainable palm oil to North America, further amplifying our collective goal to respect human and labour rights, local communities, and biodiversity throughout the palm-oil supply chain,” Webber added.
Sustainability Push
According to the group, palm-oil plantations produce 65% of the world's traded vegetable oil, which is used as a key ingredient in foods, cosmetics and soaps. However, it added that demand is expected to double by 2020, increasing the pressure on tropical forests and biodiversity.
“Reducing environmental and social risk in palm-oil supply chains is a goal that unites us all,” said Hugo Byrnes, vice-president of product integrity at Ahold Delhaize, adding that the company's private-label products contain only certified-sustainable palm oil.
The founding members of NASPON include Ahold Delhaize, Albertsons, Barry Callebaut, Blommer Chocolate Company, Bunge, Conservation International, Control Union, Dunkin' Brands, Fuji Oils, Grupo Bimbo, International Flavors & Fragrances, IOI Loders Croklaan, the Kellogg Company, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, the Rainforest Alliance, and Target.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
