Unilever has beaten Nestlé to be the most sustainable of the ten largest food companies in the world according to Oxfam‘s yearly report.
Seven themes
Oxfam has been judging the world’s ten largest food manufacturers on their social and ecological impact since 2013. The organization does this to support her “Behind the Brands” campaign, which is designed to inform consumers about the brands they buy.
The ranking is based on seven themes: land, women, farmers, employees, climate, transparency and water. Nine out of the ten companies improved their score by at least 10 % since the campaign was launched three years ago. “We hope the other companies will follow their example. The “big ten” can have a major impact in the struggle against poverty, if they pay their small-scale manufacturers honest and acceptable wages”, campaign manager Monique van Zijl said.
Attention for climate change
It is the first time Unilever, which owns Lipton, Ben & Jerry’s and Knorr among other brands, has managed to surpass its competitor Nestlé for the top spot. Its excellent score is thanks to its increased attention for climate change, its support for small-scale farmers and worker rights. Nestlé, number two this year, is praised for its support program for women in cocoa plantations. Third is Coca-Cola, a frontrunner in the respect for land rights and support for women, but not as progressive when it comes to small-scale farmers, Oxfam said.
Kellogg’s made the most strides, in all areas, while Danone lags behind, despite a clear environmental engagement.
The “Behind the Brands” ranking 2016:
| 1. | Unilever | 74% |
| 2. | Nestlé | 69% |
| 3. | Coca-Cola | 57% |
| 4. | Kellogg’s | 53% |
| 5. | Mars | 49% |
| 5. | PepsiCo | 49% |
| 7. | Mondelez | 41% |
| 8. | General Mills | 40% |
| 9. | Associated British Foods | 36% |
| 9. | Danone | 36% |
(Source: oxfam.org)
