WWF Ranking: Ferrero’s palm oil is the most sustainable in the industry

by Suman Gupta

Mumbai, January , 2020: In its recent Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard, which evaluates global companies for their support of sustainable palm oil, WWF lists Ferrero as number 1 out of 173. With a score of 21.5 out of 22, WWF ranks Ferrero as leading the industry of major global retailers, consumer goods manufacturers and food service companies. Ferrero is especially recognized for its efforts to address the issue of deforestation in tropical areas and for the transparency of its supply chain.

In a press statement published by WWF, it says: “only one company, the consumer goods manufacturer Ferrero, has scored over 20 points (out of the maximum 22), sending an encouraging signal to the rest of the industry that sustainable and deforestation-free palm oil is achievable.”

Since 2005, Ferrero has considerably invested in the sustainability of its palm oil supply chain, especially in the last five years. Already in 2015, we were one of the first companies to source 100% certified as segregated palm oil. Moving forward, we recognized the need to support projects which go beyond certification to broaden sustainability standards in the industry. We very much appreciate that our efforts are being recognized by WWF, who is a very important stakeholder in driving the sustainability of the whole palm oil sector.

While we have made significant progress especially in the areas of traceability, Ferrero will continue its investment and remains fully committed to securing a 100% deforestation-free, and exploitation-free palm oil supply chain and to leading the way in industry transformation through active collaboration with NGOs, key stakeholders and suppliers.

Our excellent result in the WWF Palm Oil Buyer Scorecard is a very important recognition for our efforts in sustainable palm oil and a great encouragement to continue our journey.

If you would like to know more about Ferrero’s commitment and activities in ensuring a sustainable palm oil sector, please visit Ferrero’s Eight Palm Oil Progress Report and our Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

About Ferrero India: Ferrero India started its commercial operations in 2004. In 2007 the Government of Maharashtra bestowed a mega status project for its state-of-the-art production plant at Baramati near Pune.

In less than a decade, Ferrero has become a strong player in the chocolate and confectionary segment in India. The company has made India a production hub for Asia and Middle East and exports half its local production. Ferrero’s well-known brands in India include Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tac, Kinder Joy, Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy and Nutella.

The company has its Corporate Office at Pune and regional sales offices at Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. It has a robust distribution network across all the metros and mini-metros of India. The company has won several awards including the Impresa Award for People Empowerment; the Best Human Response Award; Kronos Excellence Award for Work force management; Supplier Excellence Award and the CII Award for commitment to Food Safety.

Ferrero is one of the few food companies in India to install rooftop Solar Power at their manufacturing unit in India. Ferrero has invested approx. INR 10 crores in this Solar Power project. This project is built on an area of 30,000 square meters and covers 12.4% of the total factory load. In this way, Ferrero is reducing its carbon footprint and protecting the natural eco system and is committed to making the lives of people better in the community.

Ferrero has set up the Pietro Ferrero Kindergarden at Baramati to safeguard health, education and social development of children under the motto: United Kinder of the World. The Pietro Ferrero Kindergarden is a home away from home for children of employees as well as children from the nearby community. Their needs for early childhood education, play and development; nutritional food, personal hygiene, healthcare, social skills are taken care of well. The Kindergarden caters to children between the age group of 6 months to 6 years.

In 2014, Ferrero launched the Kinder+Sport ‘Joy of moving’ program, which is an international Ferrero Group Social Responsibility Project that aims to bring joy of movement into the life of every child. Kinder+Sport program works on a global scale involving 30 countries and gets 5 million children moving every year. Over 500 children participate in the Kinder+ Sport camps held at Pune and Baramati. The camp promotes and encourages physical activity, inspiring children to adopt active lifestyles from an early age, so that it becomes an integral part of their daily routine.

The company signed an MOU with Pune Zila Parshid in early 2019 to construct 8 Anganwadis in and around Baramati in the next 2 years thus strengthening its support for preschool education. For further information visit: http://www.ferreroindia.com