Maple Leaf Foods Inc. says it intends to become the world’s
leading company on sustainability.
It issued a lengthy news release this week loaded with politically-correct jargon, but also indicating that the meat packer intends to shift more into plant proteins. Earlier this year it bought a plant-protein company in the United States.
"The
world we live in is facing profound social and environmental challenges, as we
seek to sustainably feed a burgeoning global population," said Michael H.
McCain, company president and chief executive officer.
"Our
food system has drifted from its roots, to nourish wellbeing, to farm
sustainably, to view food as a universal good for all. We must serve the world
better."
He
outlined the issues and challenges as:
•
One in three people globally are overweight, while
more than 800 million are undernourished.1
•
The food system accounts for approximately 30 per cent
of global greenhouse gas emissions; livestock production contributes more carbon
dioxide emissions than all the world's transportation combined.1
•
North American's consume four times more meat than
non-industrial countries, which is unsustainable, while global meat consumption
is forecast to rise 80 per cent by 2050.1
•
There is a rising lack of trust in the food industry,
which has not operated with the level of transparency or accountability to
consumer health and nutrition that society needs. 1
The
company’s response is a set of principles:
1 Sustainable meat is
nutritious, healthy and safe.
2 Sustainable meat is
accessible, affordable and eaten in moderation.
3 Sustainable meat is produced
adhering to environmental standards that measurably reduce impacts across the
lifecycle.
4 Sustainable meat comes from
animals that are raised with care, with minimal use of antibiotics and to
standards that respect the Five Freedoms of animal welfare.
5 Sustainable meat is
produced through a resilient, fair and efficient food system that makes optimal
use of land and natural resources.
6 Sustainable meat is
produced by a company that is responsive to the needs of society.
"We
embrace these principles, recognizing that sustainability is aspirational and
evolving," said Mr. McCain. "We will measure ourselves against
progress, not perfection.
“We
have full confidence that the actions we take will deliver outstanding results
for society and our company," he said.
McCain
outlined a list of company goals:
•
Investing in people: a place where the very best
people can realize their full potential.
•
Making great food: leading in food safety, nutrition
and reducing antibiotic use in livestock.
•
Broadening reach: expanding in plant-based proteins
and better meat.
•
Building a digital future: leveraging the new digital
world in logistics and workplace.
•
Eliminating waste: reducing the company's
environmental footprint by 50 per cent by 2025.
