Palm based animal feed

A 2011 report by Greenpeace criticised Fonterra for using palm-based animal feed from cleared forests in Indonesia and Malaysia, making a significant contribution to the carbon footprint of its milk products. In 2016, after 7 years of campaigning by Greenpeace, Fonterra committed to using only responsible palm oil products. Greenpeace is calling on Fonterra to implement a full phase-out of palm-based animal feed. [https://bit.ly/2HmYIgS]

Source: Greenpeace NZ (2011)

Misleading health claims

In July 2012 the New Zealand Advertising Standards Authority forced Fonterra to amend its website after complaints about five "misleading" health claims for its dairy products.

Source: news article (2012)

Fined over contamination scare

In April 2014 Fonterra was fined $A280,000, in charges over the 2013 whey protein contamination scare, which impacted New Zealand's reputation as a safe food exporter. At the time it was thought that 38 tonnes of whey protein concentrate had been contaminated with a botulism, which triggered a global recall. Testing later confirmed the scare was a false alarm. In June 2014 Fonterra was fined a further NZ$150,000 in related charges. Fonterra was also ordered to pay 105 million euros to French food giant Danone over the contamination scare.

Source: news article (2014)

Irresponsible BMS marketing

This company is named and shamed in IBFAN's 2017 report, 'Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2017', evidence of violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS), compiled from June 2014 to June 2017. The report covers 792 Code violations from 79 countries and by 28 companies. [Listed under Information due to age of report]

Source: IBFAN (2017)

Most controversial companies of 2013

This company appeared sixth on RepRisk's top ten "Most Controversial Companies of 2013". Companies on the list were severely criticised during 2013 by the world's media, governments and NGOs. Criticisms of Fonterra included contaminated milk products, anti-competitive activities, and pollution in New Zealand. [Listed under Information due to age of report]

Source: RepRisk (2013)

Price fixing in China

In 2013 China fined six companies, including this one, a total of $110 million following an investigation into price fixing and anti-competitive practices by foreign baby formula makers.

Source: news article (2013)

Joint venture with Nestle

Fonterra and Nestle started a dairy products joint venture called Dairy Partners Americas in 2003, which operates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia. Nestle is the target of a long-standing boycott call.

Source: company website (2019)

Organic products

Some of the products this company sells are certified organic by AsureQuality

Source: AsureQuality (2018)

Palm oil free products

Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's spreads are palm oil free. 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.

Source: BOS Australia (2020)

Climate Leaders Coalition signatory

This company is a signatory to the New Zealand-based Climate Leaders Coalition. Signatories have each committed to measuring, reporting and reducing their emissions, as well as working with their suppliers to reduce their emissions.

Source: Climate Leaders Coalition (2020)

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.

Source: We Mean Business (2021)

Sustainable Business Council member

This company is a member of the New Zealand-based Sustainable Business Council, signifying a commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and build sustainability into their purchasing decisions. Members are required to introduce annual reporting practices, which outline their progress on environmental, social, governance and economic issues.

Source: Sustainable Business Council (2024)

Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member

This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.

Source: SAI Platform (2023)

CDP Forests score of C

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 C.

Source: CDP (2023)

Tier 4 in farm animal welfare rankings

The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) 2023 Report ranks global food companies on their farm animal welfare policies, practices and performance. This company appeared in tier 4, "Making progress on implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.

Source: BBFAW (2023)

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 medium risk.

Source: FAIRR (2022)