• Browse by: category | company | brand | product type  
  • HOME
  • THE GUIDE
  • ISSUES
  • GET INFORMED
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US
  • All  |
  • Baby  |
  • Clothing  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household  |
  • Office Supplies  |
  • Personal Care  |
  • Pet  |
  • Retail  |
  • Technology  |
  • Toys
  • |  Print Guide  |
  • App
  • Clothing  |
  • Electronics  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household & Personal Care
  • Issues  |
  • New! Clothing  |
  • Why Shop Ethically?  |
  • 5 Principles  |
  • Companies to avoid  |
  • News  |
  • Sign Up for Updates
  • Go ethical at school, work, home  |
  • Campaign  |
  • Spread the Word  |
  • Volunteer  |
  • Workshops  |
  • Movie Nights  |
  • Fundraising
  • All Products  |
  • Shop Ethical! app  |
  • Shop Ethical! book  |
  • Stockists  |
  • Other books  |
  • Fregie sacks  |
  • FREE STUFF!  |
  • DONATE
  • Introduction  |
  • About Us  |
  • Ratings & Assessment  |
  • Media Mentions  |
  • Testimonials  |
  • FAQ

Griffin's Foods

OVERALL

Owned
PHL
Rating
Criticisms

Snack food makers

Founded in New Zealand in 1864, today they are New Zealand's largest snack foods company. Owned by Kraft for 30 years and Danone for 16. Acquired by Pacific Equity Partners in 2006, who sold the business to Universal Robina Corp in 2014. Products sold in more than 20 countries.

Company Ownership

Griffin's Foods Ltd   NZL     website   email   facebook   
  URC Oceania Co Ltd   
   owns 100% of Griffin's Foods Ltd  
VGB     website         

Snack Foods

In 2019 Intersnack bought a 40% stake in this company, which was partly paid for with shares of Yarra Valley Snack Foods, Intersnack's Australian operations.

      Universal Robina Corporation   
       owns 60% of URC Oceania Co Ltd  
PHL     website   email      

Food and beverages

One of the largest food and beverage companies in the Philippines and a core subsidiary of Philippines-based conglomerate JG Summit. Acquired Griffin's in 2014 and Snack Brands Australia in 2016.

       »    JG Summit Holdings Inc   
             owns 56% of Universal Robina Corporation  
PHL     website         

Conglomerate

One of the Philippines' largest conglomerates. JG Summit has seven core businesses: branded consumer, agro-industrial and commodity food products; real estate and property development; air transportation services; petrochemicals; banking and financial services; telecommunications; and Power.

      Intersnack   
       owns 40% of URC Oceania Co Ltd  
GER     website   email      

Snack makers

Headquarters in Germany with operations throughout Europe.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Griffin's Foods Ltd
Social Worker injuries
This company has had two prosecutions for workplace injuries in recent years (2009 and 2011). A worker lost a finger as he tried to clear a cookie dough cutter and another worker injured his fingers when they became stuck in a conveyor.
Source: The New Zealand Herald (2013)
Environment Palm oil free products
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's biscuit products are palm oil free. For more details, follow the link to see Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia's list of products which manufacturers have told them are palm oil free or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil.
Source: BOS Australia (2020)
URC Oceania Co Ltd
No assessment data currently available for URC Oceania Co Ltd
Universal Robina Corporation
Business Ethics 17/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 17/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022)
Environment Plastic pollution
In 2018 volunteers collected and catalogued more than 187,000 pieces of trash from beach cleanups around the world to find out which corporations are contributing the most to the global plastic pollution problem. While not in the top 10, this company ranked as one of the world's worst plastic polluters.
Source: #breakfreefromplastic (2018)
Social Fined for food safety violations
In 2016 the Vietnamese branch of this company was fined US$259,119 for food safety violations after producing and selling products with excessive lead content. This was the highest fine ever issued by the Ministry of Health.
Source: news article (2016)
Business Ethics 11% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #233/350, with a total score of 11/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021)
Environment Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2021 assesses 227 companies on the actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company failed to respond to WWF's requests for information.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard (2021)
Environment Fined for water pollution
The Philippine Supreme Court upheld a P.1.25 million fine (about AU$31,000) by the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Court of Appeals after Universal Robina Corporation's corn refinery plant was found to have polluted the Pasig River with its wastewater.
Source: news article (2011)
Business Ethics CSR claims
This company has Corporate Social Responsibility claims on its website, mainly in the area of philanthropy.
Source: company website (2014)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of C
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of C.
Source: CDP (2022)
JG Summit Holdings Inc
Business Ethics 25/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 25/100 in the Industrial Conglomerates category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 21 Oct 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022)
Business Ethics Gokongwei Brothers Foundation
Born from JG Summit's commitment to social responsibility, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) was set up in 1992 to help uplift the socio-economic condition of Filipinos through the funding of educational projects.
Source: company website (2014)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Wholly-owned subsidiary
Founded 1864
Revenue 281 million NZD (2013)
Employees 800 (2014)

Contact Details

Address Manukau City, New Zealand
Email customerservices@griffins.co.nz
Website www.griffinsfoodcompany.com

Products / Brands

Griffin's Foods
Griffin's Biscuits/Crackers
Griffin's Muesli Bars
Nice & Natural Health Bars
Nice & Natural Muesli Bars


  • About Us

    • Introduction
    • About Shop Ethical!
    • About ECG
    • About the Ratings
    • Assessment sources
    • Shop Ethical! database
    • Shop Ethical! book
    • Shop Ethical! app
    • Contact us
    • FAQ

    • Copyright
    • Privacy
    • Disclaimer
  • Get Informed

    • ISSUES
    • GET INFORMED
    • Electronics Guide
    • Clothing Guide
    • Values Screen
    • Why Shop Ethically?
    • 5 Principles
    • Be Inspired
    • Calendar
    • Local Harvest
  • Get Involved

    • GET INVOLVED
    • Go Ethical at school,
      work, home, church
    • Run a workshop or tour
    • Host a movie night
    • Spread the word
    • Resources
    • Volunteer
    • Support us
  • Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Suggest brand/company
    • Report an error
    • Give feedback
    • Sign up for updates
    • Past newsletters
    • >>DONATE<<

    • GET the GUIDE
        • App Store
        • Google Play
        • buy our book