Italian food company Barilla has announced that it is set to launch a range of biscuits made entirely of sustainable soft wheat.
Part of the Buongrano line of Mulino Bianco, the product will be launched by the end of April.
The biscuits were baked in the company's largest biscuit factory, in Castiglione delle Stiviere, near Mantua, which produces 108,000 tonnes of biscuits per year.
Responsible Sourcing
In 2018, Barilla obtained the flour necessary to make its first product with ingredients sourced from sustainable agriculture.
This year, the company intends to extend the use of sustainable soft wheat to the manufacture of more products in accordance with the Carta Del Mulino, an agricultural regulation drawn up by Barilla, with the support of the WWF, the university of Bologna and the university of Tuscia.
Around 500 farms have signed the regulation, and the food manufacturer aims to add another 5,000 signatories over the next three years.
The Rules
The charter comprises ten rules, including a ban on the use of pesticides that kill bees, and the use of certified and non-GMO seeds.
The regulations also have provisions for crop rotation, which is essential for soil fertility.
Farmers are also obligated to reserve a 3% area for flower cultivation to promote biodiversity.
Sustainable Production
Barilla is also committed to improving the efficiency of production processes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.
In 2018, the company cut greenhouse gas emissions by 29% per finished product compared to 2010, while water consumption fell by almost a quarter.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
