Mars, whose products include the world’s largest rice brand, Uncle Ben’s, committed to sustainably source 100% of its rice by 2020 using the S.R.P. standard.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Mars Food has partnered with the Sustainable Rice Platform (S.R.P.) and the International Rice Research Institute (I.R.R.I.) to develop the first global standard for sustainable rice. The standard was unveiled at the 5th Annual Plenary Meeting and Assembly held Oct. 26 in Manila.

Mars, whose products include the world’s largest rice brand, Uncle Ben’s, also committed to sustainably source 100% of its rice by 2020 using the S.R.P. standard.

Fiona Dawson, president of Mars Food

“Caring for our environment as well as our entire supply chain from end-to-end is more than usual corporate responsibility — it’s an imperative for Mars Food,” said Fiona Dawson, president of Mars Food. “Through the global standard, we hope to create benefits for all involved from the farmers to our consumers. The benefit for us is that we are ensuring premium quality rice, whilst also ensuring a higher income for farmers, and a better environment for current and future generations. It is a truly mutual solution.”

The S.R.P. standard consists of a set of criteria for sustainable rice cultivation that may be used across the world to reduce the environmental footprint of rice production and improve the lives of rice farmers. Mars Food said the standard consists of 46 requirements organized under eight broad topics, including productivity, food safety, worker health, labor rights and biodiversity.

Mars Food said it will use the standard as a benchmark against which to assess its rice supply chains — identifying where there are gaps and developing strategies to improve sustainability. The company said it already has begun piloting implementation of the standard with rice farmers in two countries: Pakistan and India.