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Arla

OVERALL

Owned
DNK
Rating
Praises, some criticism

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   email   facebook   twitter

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Arla Foods amba
Environment Soy scorecard - WWF
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.
Source: WWF Soy Scorecard 2016 (2016)
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 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)
Social Access to Nutrition rating
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)
Business Ethics 46.6% 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 #14/350, with a total score of 46.6/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021)
Environment 30% in Forest 500 Rankings
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 30%.
Source: Forest 500 (2021)
Environment 14.8% in methane scorecard
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)
Social Irresponsible Marketing
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)
Social Misleading advertising
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)
Environment Climate action commitments
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)
Business Ethics Responsibility claims
This company has extensive responsibility claims on its website.
Source: company website (2017)
Business Ethics Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
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 (2019)
Social Modern Slavery statement
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)
Animals Tier 4 in farm animal welfare rankings
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)

> About the Icons

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 some products certified organic some products certified organic  Butter & Margarine
Lurpak Butter & Margarine
Mayers Cheese
Rosenborg Cheese
Singletons Cheese
Tholstrup Cheese
Viking Cheese


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