Plant-based foods
Founded in California in the 1970's. They created Vegenaise in 1977, and now produce other vegan foods. Products are made in their solar-powered California-based manufacturing plant and sold in 18 countries. Acquired by Danone North America, the world's largest B Corporation, in 2021.
Company Ownership
Earth Island
USA
Danone SA
owns 100% of Earth Island
FRA
Food processing
One of the largest food producers in the world, particularly in the areas of dairy, bottled water, baby nutrition and medical nutrition. Bought baby nutrition company Numico in 2007 for 12.3 billion euros.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Nov 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Earth Island
Praise
Criticism
Information
Carbon neutral company
This company's manufacturing facility is powered entirely by solar energy. In fact, they produce so much clean energy that they are often able to sell power back to the electrical grid.
Source: Earth University
(2017)
Rainforest Alliance certified products
This company sells Rainforest Alliance certified vegan cheese. However this only represents a fraction of this company's sales. Rainforest Alliance certification has been dubbed 'Fairtrade light' by critics, as it offers producers no minimum price for their crop, and guarantees a minimum of just 30% of the product is certified.
Source: Rainforest Alliance
(2020)
Gold Level Zero-Waste certification
In 2017 Earth Island, the production facility behind Follow Your Heart received Gold Level Zero-Waste certification from sustainability watchdog group Green Business Certification Inc. To achieve the certification they diverted 97% of their waste from landfill.
Source: company website
(2017)
PETA's 2015 Company of the Year
In 2015 PETA awarded this company its Company of the Year award. The company went 100% vegan in 2014 when it made all its salad dressings dairy-free. Previous recipients of PETA’s award include Beyond Meat and biotech firm Emulate, which created organs-on-chips technology.
Source: PETA
(2016)
Monkey-free coconuts
Monkeys in Thailand are kept chained, trained using abusive methods, and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts used for coconut milk, oil, and other products. This company has policies of sourcing from farms where no monkey labour is used.
Source: PETA Asia
(2020)
GE-free brands in US
This company has products rated GREEN in the Centre for Food Safety's True Food Shopper's Guide (USA). Companies on the GREEN list have made a concerted effort to avoid GE ingredients and have company policies asserting their position on avoiding GE foods.
Non-GMO products
This company has products that have been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, North America's only independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
Source: Non-GMO Project
(2021)
Danone SA
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A
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 A.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Forests score of A-
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 A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
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 "Excellent" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA
(2023)
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'leading the way' with a score of 21.68 out of a possible total of 24.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard
(2024)
CDP Water Security score of A
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 A.
Source: CDP
(2023)
14/20 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 14/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Access to Nutrition rating
The Global Access to Nutrition Index 2024 assessed 30 of the world's largest food and beverage manufacturers on their performance to improve access to nutritious foods. Companies are assessed on the nutritional quality of their product portfolios in 25 global markets, plus policies, practices, and transparency relating to nutrition. Of the 30 companies ranked, this company came 1st.
60% 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 #3/350, with a total score of 60/100.
46.3% 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 #5/816, with a total score of 46.3/100.
54.46% for 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 54.46/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
Climate policy engagement
InfluenceMap's 2021 A-List of Climate Policy Engagement identifies 15 corporate leaders advocating for ambitious climate policy across a range of sectors and regions. To qualify, a company must exhibit sufficient support for ambitious climate policy, strategic levels of engagement with climate policy, and leadership in its sector. Links to industry associations egregiously opposing climate policy can disqualify a company from the list. The report also offers 21 'Potential Leaders', including his company, which appear to be on the right track.
Source: Influence Map
(2021)
B- grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of B-.
Source: As You Sow
(2024)
Tier 3 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 3, "Established but work to be done", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW
(2023)
B Corp certification
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. Danone is aiming to become one of the first certified multinationals, and as of November 2024, 82.5% of Danone's global sales are covered by B Corp certification.
Source: B Lab
(2024)
Palm oil sourcing in Indonesia
A 2022 BBC News, Mongabay and the Gecko Project released a joint investigation that looked into a scheme that was intended to help lift millions of Indonesians out of poverty and cut them in on the spoils of the global palm oil boom, but has instead been plagued by allegations of exploitation and illegality. They identified 13 companies, including this one, that have sourced palm oil from producers alleged to have withheld plasma (a portion of large-scale plantations to be shared with local communities), or the profits from plasma, from Indonesian communities over the past eight years. The losses suffered across Indonesia by communities owed plasma could stretch into the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Protests by local tribes over plasma are violently suppressed by Indonesian authorities.
Source: Mongabay
(2022)
Delaying action on plastic pollution
The Talking Trash 2020 report by Changing Markets investigates the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis. It found that the industry is actively delaying and derailing ambitious action on plastic pollution in its fight to maintain business as usual for as long as possible. For example, this company is signed up to 5 nice-sounding voluntary initiatives to address plastic waste, while also participating in 10 industry associations which lobby against legislation that could restrict plastic, or make corporations responsible for managing the waste they create, financially or otherwise.
Source: Changing Markets
(2020)
Plastic pollution
In 2023 Break Free From Plastic engaged 8,804 volunteers in 41 countries to conduct 250 brand audits. These volunteers collected and audited 537,719 pieces of plastic waste. This company ranked as one of the world's top 10 plastic polluters.
Source: #breakfreefromplastic
(2023)
Promotion of bottled water
Danone has faced criticism that packaging water from the French Alps and transporting it around the world in plastic bottles causes unnecessary environmental damage.
Source: news article
(2017)
Irresponsible Marketing
This company is targeted by IBFAN for breaking baby milk marketing rules.
Source: IBFAN
(2022)
22/100 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 22/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
Source: KnowTheChain
(2023)
23.5% 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 23.5%. The highest score was 37% and the average score was a disappointing 10%.
Involvement in gambling
Danone is owner of the Evian Casino in France.
Source: company website
(2022)
Animal Testing
In 2015 Cruelty Free International exposed cruel animal tests carried out by Danone, Nestle and Yakult, presumably so that the companies could market health claims about their products. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
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)
Carbon footprint tool
In 2008, Danone set a goal of a 30 per cent global carbon footprint reduction by 2012 across the entire supply chain, including plants and factories, packaging and end-of-cycle disposal, transportation and storage. To meet this challenge, Danone and SAP teamed up and devised a system to analyze and measure carbon footprint across 35,000 products.
Source: SAP
(2012)
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; responsible corporate engagement in climate policy; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Product carbon footprint label
This company has products that are certified by the Carbon Trust, signifying that the carbon footprint of selected products has been measured, managed and reduced. A life cycle product carbon footprint is determined by calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product, from extraction of raw-materials, to end-of-life.
Source: Carbon Trust
(2021)
Gender equality
This company appears on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, signifying a commitment to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency.
Source: Bloomberg
(2023)
PESE member
This company is one of a group of eight multinationals working together under the Brazilian Business and Ecosystem Services Partnership (PESE) which provides a platform for Brazilian companies to proactively develop strategies to manage business risks and opportunities arising from their companies' dependence and impact on ecosystems. By making the connection between healthy ecosystems and the bottom line, PESE not only fosters more sustainable business practices, but also opens the door to new, profitable business opportunities.
Source: PESE
(2017)
Sustainable Food Laboratory member
The Sustainable Food Lab is a network of business, public sector, and civil society leaders from around the globe who are working together to accelerate sustainability in mainstream food and agriculture.
Source: Sustainable Food Lab
(2016)
Sustainable Brands member
This company is a Gold Member of the Sustainable Brands Network, the leading peer to peer, learning and networking group designed to support brands in meeting their sustainability goals and ultimately become those leaders of the next sustainable economy.
Source: Sustainable Brands
(2018)
UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact
(2020)
Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy
(2022)
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)
Global Plastics Treaty endorsee
In 2022 after more than 170 nations backed a historic UN resolution to end plastic pollution, global businesses across the plastics value chain, financial institutions, and NGOs came together to announce a common vision for an effective and ambitious Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution. The vision will form the basis for future policy engagements with governments through a newly launched Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty which will be convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF. This company has endorsed the vision statement of the treaty.
Source: Global Plastics Treaty
(2023)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation strategic partner
This company is a strategic partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose stated mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with business, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design.
Soy scorecard 2016 - WWF
This company received a score of 8 out of a possible total of 24 in the WWF Soy Scorecard 2016, which rates companies on their use of responsible soy, grown without damaging the environment and harming people. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: WWF Soy Scorecard 2016
(2016)
59% 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 59%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
30.2% 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 30.2/100 for their methane policy and actions.
Source: Changing Markets
(2021)
11/27 in pesticides scorecard
Over the last 60 years farming has become dependent on the intensive use of chemicals. As You Sow's 2021 report, Pesticides in the Pantry, examines the growing risks posed by the use of synthetic pesticides in agricultural supply chains to food manufacturers, and scores companies on their efforts to reduce pesticide use in their supply chains. Scores ranged from 16 to 0, with an average score of 7.5. This company received a score of 11/27.
Source: As You Sow
(2021)
27.7% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 27.7%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
33.1% in Gender Benchmark
The 2023 Gender Benchmark ranks 112 companies from the apparel and food and agriculture sectors on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, violence and harassment, and marketplace and community. This company ranked #21/112, with a total score of 33.1%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2024)
Investment in nanotechnology
Friends of the Earth's 2014 report "Tiny Ingredients, Big Risks" names this company as one of over 200 transnational food companies engaged in nanotechnology research and development, and on their way to commercializing products. New studies are adding to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating nanomaterials may be toxic to humans and the environment.
Source: FOE
(2014)
53.4% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 53.4/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek
(2017)
45/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 45/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 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.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue:
50 million USD
(2017)
Employees:
225
(2017)
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Earth Island
Follow Your Heart
Vegetarian & Vegan
Vegenaise
Vegetarian & Vegan
Vegenaise
Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise