Bellamy's Organic
Organic baby foods
Producer of 100% Australian made organic foods, especially baby formula. Established in Launceston, Tasmania in 2004 as a family-operated company. After a couple of changes in ownership the company was bought for $1.5 billion by China Mengniu Dairy Co in 2019. The company exports to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

Overall

Owned CHN
Rating F
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

Bellamy's Organic Pty Ltd
AUS
China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd
owns 100% of Bellamy's Organic Pty Ltd
CHN
Dairy
One of China's largest dairy product manufacturers. Operates 38 production bases in China and one in New Zealand. Major shareholders include Chinese state-owned COFCO, and European dairy giant Arla. Danone sold its 10% stake in 2021. Became a player in Australia's dairy industry after acquiring Burra Foods in 2016 and Bellamy's Organic in 2019.
China Oil and Food Corporation
owns 21% of China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd
CHN
Food processor
Chinese state-owned enterprise, and China's largest food processor, manufacturer and trader.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Aug 2024)
Bellamy's Organic Pty Ltd
Praise
Exclusively organic products
All of this company's products are certified organic by NASAA.
3/5 for packaging performance
This company received a packaging performance level of 3 (Advanced) in its 2024 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2024)
Information
Irresponsible marketing
The IBFAN Code Monitor document gives a snap shot of baby milk formula marketing in Tasmania, Australia. The document shows evidence of violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes by this company, who hasn't signed the MAIF Agreement, a voluntary self-regulatory code of conduct between the manufacturers and importers of infant formula in Australia.
Partnership with Fonterra
In Dec 2015 this company signed a five-year partnership deal with Fonterra. Fonterra will produce Bellamy's infant formula at their Darnum factory in eastern Victoria to help meet demand from China. The Darnum factory is the centrepiece of a joint venture between Fonterra and Chinese company Beingmate, in which the latter owns a 51 per cent stake and the right to half its 60,000 tonne a year output. Fonterra have an F rating in this guide.
Fined for failing to disclose downgrade
In 2017 the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)fined this company $66,000 for allegations it failed to warn the Australian stock exchange when it knew it would drastically downgrade revenue. Bellamy's agreed to pay the fine without admitting liability, to get the matter out of the way and avoid further costs.
Palm oil free products
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's baby formula products are palm oil free, or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO). For more details, follow the link to see Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia's list of products which manufacturers have told them are palm oil free or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil.
Organic products
This company manufactures or distributes products that are certified organic under the Australian Certified Organic label.
Source: ACO (2022)
MAIF signatory
This company is a signatory to the Manufacturers and Importers Agreement 1992 (MAIF), a voluntary self-regulatory code of conduct between the manufacturers and importers of infant formula in Australia. The MAIF Agreement aims to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and by ensuring the proper use of breast milk substitutes, when they are necessary, on the basis of adequate information through appropriate marketing and distribution.
China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2023, 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 B.
Source: CDP (2023)
CDP Forests score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
Criticism
18% 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 18%.
1/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2023 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 1/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
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 24th.
2.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 2.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
FAIRR Protein Producer Index
The Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index is a comprehensive assessment of how this sector is managing critical sustainability risks factors: GHGs; deforestation and biodiversity; water scarcity; water pollution; antibiotics; animal welfare; working conditions; food safety. This company was rated as high risk.
Supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 18.4/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE (2023)
4% 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 4/100 for their methane policy and actions.
16.9% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 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 #165/350, with a total score of 16.9/100.
13.7% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #428/816, with a total score of 13.7/100.
Information
CDP Water Security score of C
In 2023, 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 C.
Source: CDP (2023)
BHRRC company profile
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre digital platform presents news and allegations relating to the human rights impact of over 20,000 companies. Their enhanced Company Dashboards also include financial information, key data points based on corporate policies, and scores from prominent civil society benchmarks. Follow the link and use the search function to view this company's dashboard.
44/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 44/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 21 Oct 2022). 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.

Company Details

Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue:
266 million AUD (2019)
Employees:
150 (2019)

Contact Details

Address:
68 Cameron St, Launceston, TAS, 7250, Australia
Phone:
03 6332 9200
Freecall:
1800 010 460
Website:
www.bellamysorganic.com.au

Products / Brands

Bellamy's Organic
Bellamy's Baby Formula
★ certified organic
Bellamy's Baby Food
★ certified organic