Page 49 - Conveniece World Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

CONFECTIONERY DARRELL LEA GOES 100 PER CENT PALM OIL FREE Darrell Lea recently announced that it is now 100 per cent palm oil free across all products. This makes the company the first Australian major supermarket confectionery brand to achieve this significant milestone. A move widely applauded by the Australian public, this has been good news for the 68 per cent of Darrell Lea consumers who said they would change the products they purchase if they knew they contained palm oil. Darrell Lea Marketing Director Tim Stanford said, “When we say Darrell Lea makes it better, we really mean it. “We’ve been listening to our consumers and know that ethically sourced ingredients matter, and we couldn’t agree more. After extensive testing we landed on sunflower oil as a preferred replacement. It is the best choice for us.” The mammoth task took the business two years to complete, with more than 200 individual ingredients reviewed and 100 products changed in the process. Darrell Lea’s factories in Sydney and Melbourne started replacing palm oil across the entire range earlier this year and the new 100 per cent palm oil free products are already on shelves nationwide. The confectioner has refreshed its packaging to include a standout new logo as well as clear ingredient listing. While still in the process of rolling out, some new packaging has hit the shelves already. It is anticipated that all the new packaging will be in market by March 2021. MONDELĒZ ENHANCES SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA FOR PALM OIL Mondelēz International says that its suppliers of palm oil have to show they can trace materials back to palm farms and have in place satellite monitoring covering large farms that feed mills that produce oil for the company. The company represents about 0.5 per cent of demand for palm oil. From quarter one 2021, the company expects 80 per cent of its palm oil to meet these expectations, with strong supplier partnerships working to increase coverage as quickly as possible. The enhanced sourcing requirements will improve transparency across the sector by requiring suppliers confirm sustainable sourcing practices across their entire supply chain by 2025, not just the portion supplied to Mondelēz International. They form part of Mondelēz International’s long-term ambition to eliminate deforestation and forced labour in the palm oil supply chain and support the aims of the Consumer Goods Forum #Forestpositive Coalition. “We have a unique opportunity to help create a future where sustainable practices are universal across the palm oil sector,” Mondelēz International Chief Procurement Officer Quentin Roach said. “As a company we are continuing to pioneer partnership and action with our suppliers to ensure they share and actively support not only our commitment, but the larger collective commitment to realise a forest positive future where a highly efficient ingredient like palm oil is sustainably sourced across the sector.” The company has maintained 100 per cent RSPO palm oil coverage since 2018, and 98 per cent of the company’s palm oil comes from suppliers with aligned-to policies across their entire supply chain. The company takes action against groups which don’t comply, including the suspension of 89 mills in 2019. Other food producers such as Nestlé, General Mills and Unilever are also playing their part to improve the palm- oil supply chain. NOV/DEC, 2020 CONVENIENCE WORLD 47