The Kraft Heinz Co. released its 2023 Environmental Social Governance Report, sharing progress toward its goals through new innovations and collaboration.
The report highlights advancements across the company’s three key pillars – healthy living and community support, environmental stewardship and responsible sourcing.
“As we work to lead the future of food, we strive to do so responsibly. And as one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, we embrace the opportunity that comes with our size and scale to have a profound impact on communities around the world and in the lives of consumers, customers, employees, and partners,” said Miguel Patricio, CEO and board chair.
“Together, we are pioneering and advancing solutions that are transforming the products we bring to market to make a lasting, positive impact around us.”
Key progress across the three ESG pillars include:
Healthy living and community support
Kraft Heinz is developing data-driven diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging strategies; strengthening partnerships aligned with hunger relief, nutrition support and self-sustaining food sources; and making ongoing improvements to the nutrition of its product portfolio in alignment with credible science and public health goals.
In 2022, Kraft Heinz:
- DEI&B aspirations: Exceeded two employee representation aspirations, increasing representation of women in global management positions (41 percent vs. 39 percent in 2021) and people of color in U.S. salaried positions (28 percent vs. 26 percent in 2021).
- Working to alleviate global hunger: Provided about 334 million meals to people in need in 2022, achieving 66 percent of the company’s goal to provide 1.5 billion meals to people in need by 2025 (from 2019).
- Product health and nutrition: Reduced about 47 million pounds of total sugar in its global portfolio through key renovations including:
- Capri Sun reduced sugar by an average of 40 percent across its entire original juice drink portfolio in the U.S. by using monk fruit concentrate to maintain the iconic taste kids love.
- ABC reduced sugar by 10 percent in its SOTO sweet soy sauce.
Environmental stewardship
To address ongoing environmental challenges, Kraft Heinz is innovating across its operational footprint and value chain to unlock energy, carbon, water, packaging and waste solutions. When it comes to sustainable packaging, the company is identifying relevant solutions and working with industry groups to improve recycling infrastructure and explore alternative materials.
In 2022, Kraft Heinz:
- Renewable electricity: Contracted renewable electricity in Europe and the U.S. that is expected to equate to about 46 percent of the company’s manufacturing facility demand over the next two years.
- Designing better packaging: Heinz collaborated with Pulpex to develop a paper-based, renewable and recyclable bottle made from 100 percent sustainably sourced wood pulp. Additionally, the brand created a new sachet design in Europe that is made with the equivalent of 35% recycled material on a mass balance basis and is recycle-ready based on future infrastructure.
Responsible sourcing
Kraft Heinz is working advance sustainable practices and offer responsible choices. In 2022, Kraft Heinz:
- Sustainable tomatoes: Achieved 75 percent sustainably sourced Heinz ketchup tomatoes aligned with the company’s Sustainable Agricultural Practices manual.
- Gender equality in Brazilian logistics: Engaged and challenged its suppliers to employ more women in transport operations, resulting in two suppliers permanently employing two women drivers with the aim to expand in 2023 and beyond.
- Education in Egypt: Immersed Egyptian growers in sustainable farming methods during educational events focused on the topics of climate change and health and safety to grow awareness of how they can positively impact these areas.
“Our 2023 ESG Report is a testament to the change that’s possible when we collaborate cross-functionally and come together with other businesses, nonprofit organizations and experts,” said Rashida La Lande, EVP of global general counsel and chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer at Kraft Heinz.
“We recognize we have a long way to go but innovative partnerships like we have with Pulpex, and smart investments in things like renewable electricity, will help position us to continue advancing toward our goals and propelling the industry forward.”
Read more sustainability news from The Shelby Report.
