Sustainability

Wal-Mart chief pledges higher prices for sustainable suppliers

The chief executive of the world's biggest retailer yesterday promised to favour suppliers providing high quality and ethically sourced products.

Organic group funds 'seed to shelf' sustainability schemes

A leading organic dairy processor in the US has announced a new research initiative for reducing its carbon footprint, as part of a new funding program designed to improve efficiency...

Study measures impact of food transport on environment

A UK study of the impact on the environment of the food supply chain attempts to broaden the concept of measuring 'kilometres' travelled, to include sourcing, production methods, processing and...

Industry launches plan to reduce environmental impact

The EU's food and drink industry yesterday launched an action plan to help the bloc's 280,000 manufacturers reduce their manufacturing impact on the environment.

Greenpeace targets dairy group over GM

A leading Australia-based dairy processor has become the latest company to incur the wrath of Greenpeace over allegations that it is using genetically modified (GM) feed in its supply chain.

Dairy must meet environment challenge, says expert

The environment is now the biggest challenge facing the global dairy industry, Jimm Begg, president of the International Dairy Federation said yesterday.

Processors cited for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Diageo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Cadbury Schweppes, and Tesco are industry leaders in moving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to an annual report by the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Tetra Pak expects profit in green focus

Packaging group Tetra Pak had today revealed it remains on track with its aim of a 10 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2010, in a bid to reduce...

Go green and profit, says Fonterra

Fonterra, New Zealand's largest food group has pledged to step up its commitment to tackling climate change amidst new findings from the country suggesting businesses could profit from greater environmental...

Industry calls for green support

Players within the UK dairy industry will today call for greater government and scientific support in bolstering their commitment to greener production techniques.

Green Watch

Drought unites Australian dairy on sustainability

Australian dairy leaders, facing the worst drought on record in their country, have launched an industry-wide sustainability drive to improve the sector's environmental credentials.

UK dairy summit to tackle environment issues

Growing concerns over the food industry's impact on climate change have prompted a dairy industry conference on farming and the environment in the UK.

Commission plans to raise environmental taxes

New European Commission proposals on 'green taxes' to be made this week could eventually lead to an increase in the cost of doing business in the EU.

Green crimes take centre stage

Crimes against the environment are to be taken more seriously by several of the world's leading dairy countries, forcing the industry to check standards more rigorously.

Safe and sustainable bio-resin eyes commercialisation

A naturally epoxised oil from Ethiopia's vernonia weed could provide food and drink processors with a safe and sustainable substitute for the resin used to line packaging.

UK food training academy gets green light

A National Skills Academy for workers in Britain's food and drink manufacturing sector will open this April, in the latest attempt to reduce a shortfall of qualified employees.

CIAA lobbies for changes to environmental, trade policies

The Confederation of Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) has outlined its strategy in lobbying EU legislators in the upcoming year on environmental policies and international trade issues.

Green tea flavonoids: Anti-browning additives for dairy?

Scientists in the US are looking into the potential of green tea polyphenols to stop the Maillard reaction in thermally processed dairy to prevent dark colours and off-flavours.

Greenhouse gas trading data points to problems

Preliminary data from the first year of the EU's greenhouse gas trading scheme has highlighted problems in the allocation of plant outputs and in the tracking of carbon dioxide (CO2)...

Low milk prices unsustainable, say producers

Milk producers have renewed their fierce criticism of low farmgate prices in Britain, as the country's competition watchdog prepares to open an in-depth probe into the market practices of top...

Weekly comment

No avoiding sustainable sourcing

Food companies do not yet face the ethical sourcing equation of the clothing industry, where brands from Nike to Marks & Spencer cannot afford a single claim of sweat-shop production....

Processors slow in cutting greenhouse gas, researchers say

The UK's food processing industry, which has been fingered for being slow to adopt new technologies and business practices, has teamed up with university researchers to cut carbon dioxide (CO2)...

EU's anti-GM stance is unsustainable, says study

Europe's opposition to genetically modified ingredients will significantly increase producers' costs over the next three years as it becomes ever harder to secure GM-free supplies, says a new report.

Sustainable vanilla from India reaches Danisco stocks

Diversifying supplies and managing risk for the world's most expensive, and popular, natural flavour, for the first time ingredients giant Danisco receives a batch of sustainable organic vanilla from an...

Whey-based film promises cost and environmental savings

Scientists in the US have discovered a new way of use dairy byproducts to preserve fresh foods, a discovery that could save money and lead to less packaging waste. Anthony...