Arla
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Dairy
Europe's largest dairy company. Established in the spring of 2000 through the merger between the Danish MD Foods and the Swedish Arla, Arla Foods is a co-operative owned by approx. 7,200 Swedish and 8,300 Danish milk producers.
Arla Foods amba | DNK | website |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
Arla Foods amba | ||||
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 is rated 'leading the way' with a score of 19.91 out of a possible total of 24.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard (2021)
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
The Global Access to Nutrition Index assesses how the world's 25 largest global food and beverage manufacturers contribute to addressing malnutrition in all its forms: overweight and obesity, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiency. All have been assessed on their commitments, practices, and disclosure with regards to governance and management; the production and distribution of healthy, affordable, accessible products; and how they influence consumer choices and behavior. Of the 25 companies ranked, this company came 5th.
Source: Access to Nutrition Foundation (2021)
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 #14/350, with a total score of 46.6/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021) |
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 12.3/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE (2023)
The livestock sector is the single largest contributor to man-made methane emissions. Even though rapid reductions of methane emissions are needed to slow the rate of global warming, the largest meat and dairy corporations are oblivious to the problem. Changing Markets' 2021 report 'Blindspot' investigated the policies and actions of 20 meat and dairy giants to reduce their methane emissions. This company scored 14.8/100 for their methane policy and actions.
Source: Changing Markets (2021)
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 24%.
Source: Forest 500 (2022)
This company is named and shamed in IBFAN's 2017 report, 'Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2017', evidence of violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, compiled from June 2014 to June 2017. The report covers 792 Code violations from 79 countries and by 28 companies.
Source: IBFAN (2017) |
This company has been criticised for irresponsible advertising. In 2016 the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints about a press ad for organic milk by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ASA concluded the claim "Good for the land ... helping to support a more sustainable future" was misleading. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Source: Advertising Standards Authority (2016)
This company received a score of 21.5 out of a possible total of 24 in the WWF Soy Scorecard 2016, which rates companies on their use of responsible soy, grown without damaging the environment and harming people. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: WWF Soy Scorecard 2016 (2016)
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform (2023)
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website (2018)
The 2021 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report ranks global food companies on how they are managing and reporting their farm animal welfare policies and practices. This company appeared in tier 4, "Making progress on implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW (2021) |
Company Details
Type | Co-operative |
Revenue | 12.5 billion USD (2020) |
Employees | 18,765 (2016) |
Subsidiaries | Tholstrup Cheese AS ![]() Cheese makers and exporters Acquired by Arla in 2006. Tholstrup and Castello cheeses are imported into Australia by Manassen Foods. Arla Foods Mayer Australia Pty Ltd (51% owned) ![]() Dairy products marketing and distributing Joint venture between European dairy giant Arla and Australia's largest cheese importer, F. Mayer Imports, which kicked off in 2015. |
Contact Details
Address | Viby, Denmark |
Website | www.arla.com |
Products / Brands
Arla Foods Mayer Australia (51% owned)
Apetina Cheese Castello Cheese Harmonie ![]() Lurpak Butter & Margarine Mayers Cheese Rosenborg Cheese Singletons Cheese Tholstrup Cheese Viking Cheese |