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Responsible Sourcing

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Responsible Sourcing in our Supply Chain

For our business, a resilient supply chain is critical, as is the future sustainability of our food systems. Therefore, we work with growers and partners to minimise environmental impacts, including deforestation and climate change, whilst supporting the rights and livelihoods of the millions employed in food production worldwide.

For Bakkavor, Responsible Sourcing encompasses two distinct but connected material issues: Supply Chain Human Rights and Environmentally Sustainable Sourcing.

Supply Chain Human Rights

At Bakkavor, respect for human rights is central to responsible sourcing. We will never tolerate any form of modern slavery, whenever or wherever identified within our supply chain and we work closely and openly with our suppliers to ensure our expectations are understood and upheld.

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Human rights and people

Environmentally Sustainable Sourcing

At Bakkavor we recognise our responsibility to procure the ingredients and materials we use in a way that is as environmentally sound as possible. Environmental sustainability is one of the core pillars of our responsible sourcing strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of our supply chain.

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Raw material integrity
  • Supply chain human rights
  • Supply chain human rights
  • Environmentally sustainable sourcing

Supply Chain Human Rights

The global nature and complexity of the food supply chain means that there are human rights risks including modern slavery and inadequate labour practices.

Protecting the welfare and rights of workers throughout our supply chain is a top priority for our business and a central element to our Responsible Sourcing strategy. We make our expectations clear to our suppliers and work with them to ensure that they can meet and maintain the standards required.

Our commitments:

  • Work collaboratively with our suppliers on any breaches of our Code of Conduct to develop and implement a clear and appropriate corrective action plan (ongoing).
  • Support supply chain engagement within our US and China businesses through our Group Supplier Conduct Policy (2023 and ongoing).
Read more in our 2022 Annual Report

Environmentally Sustainable Sourcing

At Bakkavor it’s our aim to procure the raw materials we use in a way that is as environmentally sound as possible, considering for impacts on land and soil, water consumption and biodiversity. Environmental sustainability in food production is critical not just for the planet, but also improves the resilience of our supply chain.

Deforestation and land use conversion is a key issue for the food industry as a whole. We commit to working towards zero net deforestation and conversion-free sourcing for the high-risk raw materials that we use: palm oil, soy, cocoa and carton board-based packaging and beef.

As a Group, we are committed to working towards 100% cage-free eggs by 2027, and in the UK, our largest market, we are working with our UK customers towards 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. As of 2022, 77% of our eggs in the UK are from cage-free sources. In China and the US where cage-free eggs are less commercially available, this proportion is <1% and >50% respectively. In these markets, we will work with our customers to meet their specifications and timelines, whilst encouraging greater availability for cage free eggs.

Our commitments:

  • 100% deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing of palm oil, soy, beef and wood pulp by 2025 (UK, 2020 cut-off date). This will include sourcing palm oil from 100% segregated certified sources.
  • Further roll-out of our Group Supplier Conduct Policy, supporting supply chain engagement on social issues within US and China (2023 and ongoing).
  • 100% eggs from cage-free sources by 2025 in the UK, and Group-wide by 2027.
  • Formalise an approach on our supplier expectations on animal welfare (2023).
Read more in our 2022 Annual Report