Quorn Foods reveals carbon footprint data on back-of-pack for increased transparency

10 Apr 2020 --- To better inform consumers on environmentally sustainable food choices, alternative meat brand Quorn Foods is now listing its carbon footprint data for 60 percent of its product volume on the back of its packaging. Certified by the Carbon Trust, Quorn’s “Farm to Shop” carbon footprint data will be available for its top 30 selling products. The company notes that “the new decade requires more focus on how food choices can impact climate change.”

“Quorn is delighted to offer carbon footprint data to our customers, whom we know are actively trying to find ways to reduce their impact on the planet. This is about giving people the information needed to make informed decisions about the food they eat and the effect it has on our planet’s climate in the same way that nutrition information is clearly labeled to help inform decisions on health. We’re asking other brands to get on board with us,” says Peter Harrison, CCO of Quorn Foods.

Quorn’s move directly aligns with Innova Market Insights’ number one packaging trend for 2020, “The Language of Environmental Sustainability.” FMCG brands are increasingly acknowledging the environmental attributes of packaging as a key selling proposition of consumer packaged goods. The market researcher also identified “Storytelling: Winning with Words” as its top food and beverage trend for 2020, in which product packaging has become increasingly integral to brand-consumer relationships.

The carbon footprint labeling will feature on the British brand’s most popular and long-standing ranges, including Quorn Mince, Quorn Crispy Nuggets and Quorn Sausages. The move also includes innovations introduced recently in 2019, such as Quorn Fishless Fillets, Quorn Ultimate Burger and Quorn Wonder Grains. 

Quorn states it is the first meat-free food manufacturer in the world to take the leap and introduce third party carbon footprint accreditation via the Carbon Trust. Furthermore, the brand notes it pioneered the Carbon Trust’s Climate Leadership Framework to help Quorn identify a roadmap towards achieving net-zero emissions.

“We are excited to be working with Quorn to certify their product carbon footprint data and help improve communication to its customers. It’s imperative that consumers have robust information to help inform their purchases and we’re pleased to be able to work with Quorn on this,” Hugh Jones, Managing Director at the Carbon Trust highlights.

According to Carbon Trust data, in 2018 alone, Quorn Foods’ products saved 200,000 metric tons of CO2e compared to meat equivalents, with the greenhouse gas impact of mycoprotein, the main ingredient in all Quorn products, being 90 percent lower than beef.

Further aiming to drive the sustainability and quality of its protein, Quorn recently collaborated with researchers at Teesside University, UK, to test different methods of making mycoprotein and to lead to an even more sustainable production methodology and enhancements in product quality.

Edited by Anni Schleicher