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Vitasoy Australia

OVERALL

Owned
JPN
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Soymilk producers

Vitasoy Australia is a joint venture between Vitasoy International and Lion Dairy & Drinks. Operates one production facility in Wodonga, VIC.

Company Ownership

Vitasoy Australia Products Pty Ltd   HKG     website   email   facebook   
  Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd   
   owns 50% of Vitasoy Australia Products Pty Ltd  
AUS     website         

Dairy & drinks manufacturer

One of Australia's largest dairy companies (formerly known as National Foods). Acquired Australian dairy companies Dairy Farmers in 2008, Lactos in 2006, and King Island Dairy in 2002, plus juice company Berri in 2005. Owned by Lion/Kirin from 2007 until 2021, when Bega Cheese will take over ownership.

      Lion Pty Ltd   
       owns 100% of Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd  
AUS     website   email      

Beverages and dairy manufacturing

Through a series of mergers and acquisitions between 2002 and 2009, this company became Australia's largest dairy company, largest juice company and second largest brewery. Owned by Japan's Kirin since 2007.

       »    Kirin Holdings Company Ltd   
             owns 100% of Lion Pty Ltd  
JPN     website   email      

Food, beverage, alcohol and pharmaceuticals manufacturer

Kirin's main businesses include alcohol, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and food. Japan's largest brewer. Kirin bought Australian dairy & juice company National Foods in 2007, and Dairy Farmers in late 2008, and the 54% of Lion Nathan (Australia's #2 brewer) it didn't already own in 2009. While Kirin is an independent company, it is part of Japan's largest "keiretsu", Mitsubishi Group.

  Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd   
   owns 50% of Vitasoy Australia Products Pty Ltd  
HKG     website   email      

Beverage makers, especially soymilk

Production facilities located in Hong Kong , Mainland China , Australia and the U.S.A.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Vitasoy Australia Products Pty Ltd
Social Workers rights
On 15 Oct 2011, Vitasoy factory workers at Wodonga, who had held two 24-hour strikes, accepted a new enterprise bargaining agreement after their union gained some concessions from management, including a 12% pay increase over 3 years, and improved rights for casual workers.
Source: NUW (2011)
Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd
Environment Fined for wastewater discharge
In Dec 2014 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued a $15,000 penalty notice to this company for breaching the conditions of their Environment Protection Licence at their Wetherill Park premises. On 9 September 2014 wastewater overflowed out of a pit on their premises and into a stormwater drain which serves Canley Vale Road and flows into Prospect Creek.
Source: EPA (2014)
Business Ethics Unfair milk supply agreements
This company was one of five major dairy processors that agreed to amend its milk supply agreements after The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found them to be unfair. The ACCC said it had raised concerns with some processors about lengthy notice periods for farmers to terminate their contracts, one-sided termination rights, broad indemnities, and terms that restrict a farmer's ability to lease a farm or sell their cattle.
Source: ACCC (2018)
Animals Animal welfare policy
Follow the link to see this company's animal welfare policy.
Source: company website (2016)
Lion Pty Ltd
Environment Australian Packaging Covenant signatory
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020)
Environment Carbon neutral company
This company's business operations meet the requirements of the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard, and have been certified carbon neutral since 2020.
Source: Climate Active (2020)
Social 2013 CHOICE Shonky Award
Named and shamed in the 2013 CHOICE Shonky Awards. According to Choice, Lion's Dairy Farmers Oats Express Liquid Breakfast Banana and Honey, which has pictures of whole oats, banana slices and a honey dipper on the pack, claims to be a smooth "blend of milk, oat fibre and real banana". The ingredients panel reveals the product actually contains banana extract and no honey.
Source: Choice (2013)
Social Breaching advertising codes
This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2010 the Advertising Standards Bureau upheld complaints about an ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Source: Advertising Standards Bureau (2010)
Business Ethics Political donations
According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $896,849 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Source: Democracy For Sale (2018)
Business Ethics Opposing a CDS
In 2013 Coca-Cola Amatil, Schweppes Australia and Lion Pty Ltd filed proceedings in the Federal Court challenging the legal validity of the Northern Territory's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). Other large bottlers like Fosters and Diageo have not joined the court case. A CDS has been proven worldwide to be the best way to increase collection and recycling. The Boomerang Alliance estimates a CDS would increase recovery by 80%.
Source: news article (2013)
Business Ethics Misleading labelling
In Dec 2010 National Foods' juice line Berri was required to change two of its flagship brands, Australian Fresh and The Daily Juice Company, after an ACCC investigation found the brand names might be misleading customers into believing the juice was 100% freshly-squeezed. Australian Fresh was renamed Australian Grown, while packaging for The Daily Juice Company was altered to reflect the blended nature of the contents.
Source: ACCC (2010)
Social ABAC signatory
This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia.
Source: ABAC (2017)
Social RCMI signatory
This company is a signatory to the Responsible Children's Marketing Initiative (RCMI), which is managed by the Australian Food & Grocery Council and covers products found in retail outlets. Companies that have signed up to the initiative commit to: only advertising healthier choices to children and encouraging a healthy lifestyle through good diet and physical activity; not paying for or seeking product placement television programs, editorial content or interactive games aimed at children, unless the product is a healthier choice; not advertising and marketing to children in Australian schools unless they are asked to by those schools.
Source: AFGC (2019)
Social DrinkWise contributor
This company makes voluntary contributions to DrinkWise Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, whose stated goal is to help bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia.
Source: DrinkWise (2020)
Social Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
This company is listed by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as a Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holder. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Source: WGEA (2019)
Business Ethics Sustainability claims
This company has a number of sustainability claims on its website, including in the areas of tax transparency and environmental performance.
Source: company website (2020)
Business Ethics Sedex member
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex (2018)
Social Workers rights
On 13 January 2010, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), following endorsement from union members at Berri Juices in Sydney, signed a new collective agreement which secured conditions and brought long delayed wage rises. Industrial actions leading up to agreement included the first workers strike in Berri's history.
Source: IUF (2010)
Social Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of A
In 2019, 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 A.
Source: CDP (2019)
Social CDP Water Security Score of A
In 2019, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A.
Source: CDP (2019)
Social Involvement with Burma
This company appears on Burma Campaign UK's 'Dirty List' of companies assisting the Burmese military to continue to commit human rights violations and environmental destruction. In Burma Kirin is in a joint venture, Myanmar Breweries, with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, which is controlled by and for the benefit of the military. This subsidiary has also donated money to the Burmese military.
Source: Burma Campaign UK (2019)
Social Human Rights Benchmark
The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 200 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel, Extractives and ICT Manufacturing sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 20-30 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%.
Source: CHRB (2019)
Business Ethics 25/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 25/100 in the Beverages category of the 2019 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices. 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 (2019)
Business Ethics 49.8% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2012
This company received a score of 49.8/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2012, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on their environmental footprint, management (policies, programs, initiatives, controversies) and reporting practices, using data from Trucost and Sustainalytics.
Source: Newsweek (2012)
Environment FSC certification
This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
Source: FSC (2017)
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; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty.
Source: We Mean Business (2017)
Business Ethics CSV claims
This company has Creating Shared Value claims on its website
Source: company website (2015)
Business Ethics UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact (2020)
Social Involvement with Myanmar
Kirin acquired Fraser & Neave's 55% stake in Myanmar Brewery in 2015. Prior to this the brewery operated as a joint venture between Fraser & Neave and a Burmese state-owned enterprise, and generated significant income for the oppressive Burmese regime (which ended in 2011).
Source: news article (2015)
Social Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
Animals Genetic Engineering & Animal Rights
USA biotech company Hematech Inc. genetically modify cattle for human antibody production. Hematech was previously a subsidiary of Kirin's pharmaceutical division (Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co) until Dec 2012 when it was acquired by Sanford Health and rebranded Sanford Applied Biosciences, LLC.
Source: company website (2012)
Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd
Business Ethics Global 100
The 2020 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list is an extensive data-driven corporate sustainability assessment. The ranked companies are leaders in the field of a sustainable business approach. The efficiency of a company's energy, water, CO2 and waste management is measured in relation to its total sales volume. The disclosure of that information is a pre-condition for the assessment. Of the 295 companies in its peer group, this company ranked #2.
Source: Corporate Knights (2020)
Environment Supply chain practices in China
This company received a score of 4.7/100 (retrieved 10-Oct-2020) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains.
Source: IPE (2020)
Social Workers rights
Vitasoy International refuses to recognise the right of their Hong Kong workers to form a union and bargain collectively. Both the National Union of Workers (Australia) and the International Union of Foodworkers are calling on Vitasoy to recognise the Hong Kong workers' fundamental human rights as recognised by the ILO.
Source: NUW (2011)
Animals VegSoc approved products
This company has products which carry the Vegetarian Society Seeding Symbol, the only legally registered trademark for vegetarian accreditation.
Source: VegSoc (2019)
Business Ethics 47/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 47/100 in the Food Products category of the 2019 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices. 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 (2019)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Joint venture
Aus Manufacturing Yes

Contact Details

Address 5 Queens Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, HKG/CHN
Freecall 1800 677 852
Website www.soy.com.au

Products / Brands

Vitasoy Australia
Vitasoy some products certified organic some products certified organic  Soy/Plant Milk
Vitasoy Flavoured Milk


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