Swisse
Health supplements
Founded in 1969. Acquired by Hong Kong-based H&H Group (formerly Biostime) in 2015 for AU$1.67 billion.

Overall

Owned HKG
Rating C
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

Swisse Wellness Pty Ltd
AUS
Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings Ltd
owns 100% of Swisse Wellness Pty Ltd
HKG
Infant formula
Formerly Biostime. Hong Kong listed Chinese dietary supplements and infant formula producer. Acquired 83% of Swisse in 2015.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Nov 2024)
Swisse Wellness Pty Ltd
Praise
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
Breaching advertising codes
In 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Complaints Resolution Panel upheld complaints about seven ads by this company on the grounds that they breached advertising codes. The Panel requested this company withdraw the ads and not to use representations in the ads again.
Krill supplements
In 2015 Sea Shepherd Australia targeted this company over its production of krill-based omega-3 health supplements. Krill are a vital part of the Antarctic food chain and giant factory-ships are sucking up huge amounts of krill for the farmed fish and supplements industries. Vast schools of krill not only function as food for whales, penguins, seals and seabirds, but they are also huge carbon sinks that help mitigate global warming. Swisse is one of the largest krill supplement manufacturers in Australia.
Political donations
According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $460,823 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Organic products
Some of this company's products are certified organic by NASAA.
Vegan Australia Certified products
This company sells products certified vegan by Vegan Australia.
Previously carbon neutral certified
This company was certified carbon neutral by the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard from 2011 until 2023, when they withdrew from the program.
Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings Ltd
Praise
Certified B Corp with score of 92.3
Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The B Impact Assessment measures a company's practices and outcomes in five areas: governance, workers, community, the environment, and customers. This company has a B Impact Score of 92.3 and has held B Corp Certification since October 2024. The median score for businesses is 50.9, with a score of 80 required for B Corp Certification.
Criticism
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "No Commitment" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
20.4% in BMS Marketing Index
The BMS Marketing Index 2024 assesses how well companies making breast-milk substitutes (BMS) are following international guidelines for marketing their products. The Index aims to ensure marketing practices don't discourage breastfeeding. This company scored 20.4%. The highest score was 37% and the average score was a disappointing 10%.
Information
Price fixing in China
In 2013 Chinese authourities fined six companies including this one, a total of US$110 million following an investigation into price fixing and anti-competitive practices by foreign baby formula makers.
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.
Sustainability Consortium member
This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives.
Biostime China Foundation for Mother & Child
The BIOSTIME China Foundation for Mother & Child was established in 2007 in partnership with the Red Cross Sociaty of China.
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Company Details

Type:
Subsidiary
Employees:
150 (2015)

Contact Details

Address:
111 Cambridge St, Collingwood , VIC , 3066, Australia
Phone:
03 9418 6767
Freecall:
1800 794 773
Website:
www.swisse.com.au

Products / Brands

Swisse
Biostime Baby Formula
Evidin Vitamins
Swisse Skin Care
Swisse Vitamins
Swisse Mens Grooming
Swisse Sports Nutrition