DENVER — The WhiteWave Foods Co. said all of the cocoa powder its uses to make plant-based, dairy and creamer products in North America will be independently certified sustainable by the end of the year. Brands included in the transition are Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, Vega, Horizon Organic and International Delight.
As of 2015, a fourth of WhiteWave’s cocoa was certified sustainable, and by the end of 2016, 100% of the cocoa purchased by the company will be certified by UTZ, an independent certification program for the socially and environmentally responsible production of cocoa, coffee and tea. WhiteWave’s shift to sustainable cocoa supports environmentally sound farming methods and fair working conditions.
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| Blaine McPeak, c.o.o. at WhiteWave |
“We believe that being a responsible company makes us a better company, and that how we make our products is just as important as what we make,” said Blaine McPeak, chief operating officer at WhiteWave. “That’s why we’re raising our cocoa sourcing standards, setting an aggressive timeline and utilizing credible third parties to verify our progress. This furthers our strong commitment to producing food responsibly, and ultimately changing the way the world eats for the better.”
WhiteWave’s commitment to sourcing sustainable cocoa is part of broader efforts to produce food responsibly. In 2014, the company reduced its waste to landfill by 17%, non-ingredient water usage by 4% and greenhouse gas emissions by 5%. In 2013, WhiteWave achieved its goal to source 100% certified sustainable palm oil for use in its creamer products.
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| Han de Groot, executive director of UTZ |
