by Sarah Hills FoodBizDaily.com London
November 27 2009 - Premier Foods said it is bringing forward its target to cover 100% of its palm usage through the GreenPalm certification programme by two years.
The UK company, whose brands include Hovis, Mr Kipling and Ambrosia, had previously set a target to source 100% certified sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) by the end of 2011. But it said the date now is before January 2010.
The move follows a string of announcements recently by big names, including Nestle, Marks and Spencer and United Biscuits, regarding palm oil sustainability commitments.
Premier said its corporate social responsibility steering group met in October to review the company’s use of palm oil, which led to this latest announcement.
Will Carter, MD grocery division at Premier Foods said: “We are delighted to be able to announce our participation in the GreenPalm programme as a stepping stone to sourcing 100% CSPO blended product as this becomes available on the UK market.
“It is important that we send a strong message to Palm Oil producers and processors that there is an existing, and increasing, demand in the UK for 100% segregated and traceable blended CSPO”.
GreenPalm is a certificate trading programme which is designed to tackle the environmental and social problems created by the production of palm oil, particularly South East Asia.
Areas of tropical rainforest are being converted to agricultural use in Malaysia and Indonesia to facilitate the extension of palm oil plantations.
However, this has led to a reduction in the natural habitat of the large ape, Orang-utan, and the associated biodiversity of this region.
Campaigners such as WWF want existing cleared land to be used to meet the increasing global demand for palm oil, rather than clearing additional rainforest.
Adam Harrison, WWF spokesman, said: “Our recent scorecard showed that only a few companies were taking action on palm oil.
“We hope that this will spur other manufacturers to join the growing group of progressive companies who are supporting RSPO certified sustainable palm oil"
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Premier Foods Plc
Address: Premier House Griffiths Way St Albans, ENG AL1 2RE United Kingdom
Telephone: +44-1727-815850
Fax: +45-1727-815982
About Premier Foods Plc
Premier Foods Plc is a food producer, producing a range of category branded and retailer-branded food products. As of December 31, 2008, the Company operated in three divisions: Grocery, Hovis and Chilled & Ireland. The Grocery segment includes grocery products. The Hovis segment includes wrapped bread, morning goods and bulk and bagged flour. The Chilled & Ireland segment chilled and frozen meat-free products, operations in the Republic of Ireland, and its retailer branded chilled ready meal and cake businesses. In March 2, 2009, the Company completes its sales of Martine Specialites SAS and Le Pain Croustillant.