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Food giants not acting ethically, say Oxfam | Food giants not acting ethically, say Oxfam |
(35 minutes later) | |
The world's largest food companies are failing to meet ethical standards, a report from Oxfam suggests. | The world's largest food companies are failing to meet ethical standards, a report from Oxfam suggests. |
It compiled a scorecard which rated the "Big 10" drink and grocery brands on seven social and environmental factors. | |
These ranged from transparency of their supply chains and operations to how they protect women's rights. | These ranged from transparency of their supply chains and operations to how they protect women's rights. |
The company with the lowest score was UK food giant Associated British Foods (ABF) which owns brands including Kingsmill, Twinings and Ryvita. | The company with the lowest score was UK food giant Associated British Foods (ABF) which owns brands including Kingsmill, Twinings and Ryvita. |
Oxfam href="http://blogs.oxfam.org/en/blogs/13-02-26-go-behind-brands-you-buy" >has launched a Behind the Brand campaign in 12 countries calling on the public to use social media to put pressure on the companies to improve their policies. | |
Women's opportunities | Women's opportunities |
The charity said few of ABF's brands were able to demonstrate how they did business with suppliers or enforced ethical standards. | The charity said few of ABF's brands were able to demonstrate how they did business with suppliers or enforced ethical standards. |
The company scored one mark out of 10 in its treatment of land, women and climate change, while its highest scored was three, on workers and transparency. | The company scored one mark out of 10 in its treatment of land, women and climate change, while its highest scored was three, on workers and transparency. |
In joint second lowest place were Kellogg's and General Mills, which owns Old El Paso, Haagen-Dazs and Nature Valley, both scoring 16 out of 70. | In joint second lowest place were Kellogg's and General Mills, which owns Old El Paso, Haagen-Dazs and Nature Valley, both scoring 16 out of 70. |
The report said neither ABF and Kellogg's had addressed land rights concerns or the poverty and lack of opportunity for women working in the supply chain. | The report said neither ABF and Kellogg's had addressed land rights concerns or the poverty and lack of opportunity for women working in the supply chain. |
General Mills showed a lack of transparency in the source of their ingredients, only providing information on where they get their palm oil, Oxfam said. | General Mills showed a lack of transparency in the source of their ingredients, only providing information on where they get their palm oil, Oxfam said. |
The company which achieved the highest score was Nestle, with 38 marks. | The company which achieved the highest score was Nestle, with 38 marks. |
Oxfam said all 10 companies had acknowledged the need for a more just food system and had made commitments to achieve that, but were still failing to take adequate steps. | Oxfam said all 10 companies had acknowledged the need for a more just food system and had made commitments to achieve that, but were still failing to take adequate steps. |
It also found that while all of the companies had moved to reduce direct emissions, only five - Mondelez, Danone, Unilever, Coca-Cola and Mars - publicly reported on agricultural emissions associated with their products. | It also found that while all of the companies had moved to reduce direct emissions, only five - Mondelez, Danone, Unilever, Coca-Cola and Mars - publicly reported on agricultural emissions associated with their products. |
Oxfam chief executive Barbara Stocking said: "Consumers have the right to know how their food has been produced and the impact this has on the world's poorest people who are growing the ingredients. Companies have a responsibility to treat local producers, communities and environments with respect. | Oxfam chief executive Barbara Stocking said: "Consumers have the right to know how their food has been produced and the impact this has on the world's poorest people who are growing the ingredients. Companies have a responsibility to treat local producers, communities and environments with respect. |
"It is time the veil of secrecy shrouding this multi-billion dollar industry was lifted. | "It is time the veil of secrecy shrouding this multi-billion dollar industry was lifted. |
"The hundreds of brands lining supermarket shelves are predominantly owned by just 10 huge companies which have combined revenues of more than one billion dollars a day whilst one in eight people go to bed hungry every night." | "The hundreds of brands lining supermarket shelves are predominantly owned by just 10 huge companies which have combined revenues of more than one billion dollars a day whilst one in eight people go to bed hungry every night." |
In a statement, ABF said the idea that it would use a veil of secrecy to hide the human cost of its supply chain was "simply ridiculous" and that they treated local producers with the "utmost respect". | In a statement, ABF said the idea that it would use a veil of secrecy to hide the human cost of its supply chain was "simply ridiculous" and that they treated local producers with the "utmost respect". |