DENVER, Feb. 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The WhiteWave Foods Company (www.WhiteWave.com) (NYSE:WWAV) today announced 100 percent of the cocoa powder sourced across its portfolio of plant-based, dairy and creamer products within the Americas Foods & Beverages segment will be independently certified sustainable by the end of 2016. All WhiteWave brands based in North America using cocoa as an ingredient will transition, including Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, Vega, Horizon Organic, and International Delight.
As of 2015, 25 percent of WhiteWave’s cocoa was certified sustainable. By the end of 2016, all cocoa purchased will be certified by UTZ (https://www.utz.org/), an independent certification program for the responsible production of cocoa, coffee and tea using environmental, economic and social aspects.
“WhiteWave has always worked to be a responsible steward of the environment and do our part to empower the people and communities from which we source our ingredients,” said Blaine McPeak, Chief Operating Officer at WhiteWave. “We believe that being a responsible company makes us a better company, and that how we make our products is just as important as what we make. That’s why we’re raising our cocoa sourcing standards, setting an aggressive timeline and utilizing credible third parties to verify our progress. This furthers our strong commitment to producing food responsibly, and ultimately changing the way the world eats for the better.”
WhiteWave’s certified sustainable cocoa supports education and training of cocoa producers, environmentally sound farming methods and just working conditions.
“We are very pleased with WhiteWave’s commitment to invest in sustainability by making a strong pledge to source responsibly produced cocoa,” said Han de Groot, Executive Director of UTZ. “Partnering with WhiteWave makes it possible for us to fulfill our mission which is to create a world where sustainable farming is the norm.”
This initiative is just one more way WhiteWave is building on its long-time commitment to produce food responsibly. In 2014, the company reduced its waste to landfill by 17 percent, non-ingredient water usage by 4 percent, and GHG emissions by 5 percent. In 2013, WhiteWave realized a significant milestone in responsible sourcing through its commitment to source 100 percent Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) for use in its creamer products. WhiteWave will continue to support environmental sustainability, and find new and sustainable ways to create products that people enjoy.
For more information about WhiteWave and its brands, please visit http://www.whitewave.com.
ABOUT THE WHITEWAVE FOODS COMPANY
The WhiteWave Foods Company is a leading consumer packaged food and beverage company that manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells branded plant-based foods and beverages, coffee creamers and beverages, premium dairy products and organic produce throughout North America and Europe. The Company also holds a 49% ownership interest in a joint venture that manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells branded plant-based beverages in China. WhiteWave is focused on providing consumers with innovative, great-tasting food and beverage choices that meet their increasing desires for nutritious, flavorful, convenient, and responsibly-produced products. The Company's widely-recognized, leading brands distributed in North America include Silk®, So Delicious® and Vega® plant-based foods and beverages, International Delight® and LAND O LAKES®* coffee creamers and beverages, Horizon Organic® and Wallaby® premium dairy products, and Earthbound Farm® organic salads, fruits and vegetables. Its popular plant-based foods and beverages brands in Europe include Alpro® and Provamel®, and its plant-based beverages in China are sold under the Silk® ZhiPuMoFang® brand. To learn more about WhiteWave, visit www.whitewave.com.
*The LAND O LAKES brand is owned by Land O’Lakes, Inc. and is used by license.