PITTSBURGH — Better products and better supply chain are two of the four key pillars unveiled as part of The Kraft Heinz Co.’s enhanced commitment to corporate social responsibility. In a report released Dec. 5 the company identified several new, global goals that fit within those pillars.
Under its “Better Supply Chain” pillar Kraft Heinz said it is focused on creating “a sustainable, global supply chain by establishing responsible farm-to-market ingredient and material sourcing policies.” One of those policies has to do with sourcing cage-free eggs. The company already has transitioned one-third of its global egg supply to cage-free and pledged in the report to transition to a 100% cage-free egg global supply by 2025.
“We define cage-free eggs as those laid by hens allowed to walk, nest and engage in other behaviors in an open area,” the company noted in the report. “In all North American operations, we are on track to achieve this goal by 2025. In Europe, our supply is already 100% enriched housing or free-range, with a commitment to switch to 100% free-range eggs and egg-based ingredients by 2020.”
Under its “Better Products” pillar, Kraft Heinz said it will expand its product nutrition guidelines globally, with a target to achieve 70% compliance by 2023.
“Kraft Heinz is committed to providing choices that meet the nutrition and wellness needs and demands of today’s consumers, which continue to evolve,” the company said. “Our internal guidelines for nutrition and wellness provide a framework for meeting these needs wherever feasible through product development and renovation. We continually monitor current science and trends to inform our decisions and evolve our product portfolio accordingly. Nutrition guidelines are the foundation of our nutrition and wellness approach. Products that meet these nutrition guidelines more closely align with current authoritative dietary recommendations and are specific to the product category and geography.”
Kraft Heinz said its nutrition guidelines typically focus on three categories: nutrients to limit; nutrients, food groups, and ingredients to encourage; and wellness attributes.
Also under the “Better Products” pillar, Kraft Heinz has vowed to meet consumer demand through three key ways: innovation, renovation and food safety.
In the case of renovation, Kraft Heinz said it has completed “years of successful efforts” to improve the nutrition and wellness attributes of its products. The company’s current priorities include removing artificial dyes, flavors and preservatives; reducing sodium and added sugar where possible; and offering more choices with simpler ingredients.
On the food safety front, Kraft Heinz has recorded no product recalls in 2017, which compared with three in 2016 and six in 2015.
“Our Quality Risk Management Process is the backbone of the Kraft Heinz Food Safety and Quality program and serves as the best-in-class management system to ensure food is manufactured safely, complies with local regulations and meets or exceeds the quality standards we’ve set for our products,” the company said.
