Paving the way for sustainable EU food systems, major stakeholders sign up for Code of Conduct

05 Jul 2021 --- A wide range of stakeholders have signed up to industry’s movement for more sustainable food systems in Europe, including Nestlé, Mondelēz International and the overarching body representing European businesses, FoodDrinkEurope. The pledges will lead to a more nutrition-focused product reformulation and putting environmentally friendly strategies at the heart of food production.

Since the beginning of 2021, companies, organizations and NGOs have collaborated with the European Commission (EC) to draw up a “Code of Conduct” which will shape the future landscape of sustainable food production.

Now more than 50 companies have made firm commitments to transform the food systems in which they operate. 

Planetary health 
Achieving net carbon emissions, developing sustainable packaging models, protecting biodiversity, tackling climate change, environmental degradation, and eliminating malnutrition, are among the key focus areas. 

The EU’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Business and Marketing Practices sets out actions that food producers, foodservice, retailers and others can take to make healthy and sustainable food choices more accessible.

It’s being launched today in a virtual event hosted by the EC. 

By signing up, companies are paving the way toward building the foundations of healthy, circular and sustainable European food systems while supporting the European Green recovery

FoodIngredientsFirst examines some of the companies that have signed up to the pledge and looks at the promises they are making. Nestlé is contributing with a set of 23 commitments to reduce the environmental footprint of products while contributing to healthy and nutritious diets.

Sustainable snacking 
Mondelēz has several objectives such as creating healthy, balanced and sustainable diets for all European consumers, the climate-neutral food chain in Europe by 2050; optimized circular and resource-efficient food chain in Europe; sustainable value creation in the European food supply chain through partnership and sustainable sourcing in food supply chains.

Mondelēz is focusing on “mindful snacking,” and earlier this year, its venture hub, SnackFutures, launched CoLab, a start-up engagement program for early-stage snack brands with a well-being positioning. The program has been designed to drive mutual growth between entrepreneurs and the Mondelēz International ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Cocoa Life is Mondelēz’s cocoa sustainability program which is on-track to create real change in cocoa-growing communities. 

By 2022, Cocoa Life aims to reach 200,000 farmers and one million community members, helping Mondelēz to source cocoa for all its chocolate brands from Cocoa Life by 2025. “In this way, consumers across the world can be confident that the brands they love are made the right way,” says the company. 

Boosting nutritious food 
Nestlé is contributing with a set of 23 commitments to reduce the environmental footprint of products while contributing to healthy and nutritious diets. The company will add more nutritious products to its portfolio and roll out the Nutri-Score nutrition labeling system across Europe.

In terms of reformulation, the reduction of sugars, sodium, and saturated fats is on the horizon. At the same time, there will be an increase in vegetables, fiber-rich grains, pulses, nuts and seeds in Nestlé foods and beverages. 

On the environmental side, actions include support for regenerative agriculture and a shift to 100 percent renewable energy and zero-emission logistics.

Achieving many of these goals will require a full supply chain approach, working closely with farmers and other companies to positively impact communities and the environment. 

“We are ready to advance regenerative food systems at scale by sharing our know-how and providing resources at a local level. The EU Code of Conduct has the potential to foster dialogue and alignment between food supply chain actors in tackling shared sustainability challenges and contribute to the transition toward sustainable food systems in Europe,” says the Swiss food giant. 

The EU Code of Conduct puts nutrition-focused product reformulation and environmentally friendly strategies at the heart of food production.

Decarbonizing food systems 
FoodDrinkEurope –which represents the food and drink manufacturing industry, made up of 291,000 businesses, of which 99 percent are SMEs, with 4.8 million employees – has today officially signed up to the Code.

The organization will now promote the Code among its network and work with its members.

For example, FoodDrinkEurope has commissioned an independent study that lays out a roadmap to decarbonize the European food and drink industry on climate change. This will be published later this week.    

It has also launched its #FoodFuture project, inviting all stakeholders to find the best pathways toward achieving the aspirations set out in the Code. 

In addition, it has published a webpage with over 400 case studies to demonstrate sustainable business practices and launched the inaugural Foodies Awards to recognize Europe’s most sustainable SMEs. The aim is to spread ideas and urge other businesses to follow by example.        

Marco Settembri, FoodDrinkEurope president and Nestlé CEO for EMENA, says the real hard work begins now.  

“By signing up to the Code, the industry is committing to drive actions that will contribute to healthier living, a greener planet and a thriving European economy. 

“In order to take everyone along on the food sustainability journey, including the SMEs that make up 99 percent of Europe’s food and drink sector, we count on continued support from the European Commission and other public authorities. We invite all stakeholders to continue this collaboration toward our common goal of sustainable food systems where progress is real and where Europe can become the gold standard for sustainable food,” he says. 

What’s next?
The scale of the challenge may be daunting but without firm targets from some of the largest F&B players, moving toward real, tangible sustainability is not possible. 

The intent is there, the commitments have been laid out – now they will be tracked. Delivering systematic change and creating “game-changing actions” is what’s being promised. Now it’s up to big businesses to take decisive action on green packaging, cleaner energy, healthy reformulation and more to fix this seismic problem. 

By Gaynor Selby