Goodman Fielder
Food and beverage company
Founded in Tamworth NSW in 1909. Goodman Fielder was Australasia's largest listed food manufacturing company, however the company was delisted from the ASX in 2015 when it was acquired for $1.3 billion by the world's largest palm oil trading company, Wilmar International, and Hong Kong investment company First Facific. They manufacture their products in almost 60 plants across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia. Wilmar became full owners in 2019.

Overall

Owned SGP
Rating C
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

Goodman Fielder Ltd
AUS
Wilmar International Ltd
owns 100% of Goodman Fielder Ltd
SGP
Agribusiness, especially palm oil
World's #1 palm oil trader. World's #1 palm biodiesel manufacturer. Asia's largest agri-business group. One of the largest plantation companies in Indonesia/Malaysia. Run by Khoon Hong Kuok. Supplies palm oil to multinational companies such as Unilever, Nestle and Cargill. Bought CSR's sugar and renewable energy business in 2010, and Goodman Fielder in 2015.
Kuok Group
owns 30% of Wilmar International Ltd
MYS
Conglomerate
Founded in 1949. Run by Robert Kuok. Interests include shipping, real estate, Shangri-la Hotels, media and agribusiness. They previously controlled 10% of the world's sugar. Affiliated with Wilmar International, the world's biggest palm oil processor. Wilmar is run by Robert Kuok's nephew, Khoon Hong Kuok.
Archer Daniels Midland Company
owns 20% of Wilmar International Ltd
USA
Agribusiness
Turns crops such as corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into food ingredients, animal feeds, and agriculturally derived fuels and chemicals.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Aug 2024)
Goodman Fielder 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)
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 "Poor" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
Information
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 failed to respond to WWF's requests for information.
Nanoparticles in food products
Independent testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth found potentially harmful nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silica (SiO2) in a range of food products including products by this company. The silica and titanium dioxide in all 14 food products tested contained a high proportion of nanoparticles that have not been tested, labelled or approved for consumption in Australia. Furthermore, peer reviewed studies have raised health serious health concerns regarding the use of these nanoparticles in food.
Source: FOE (2015)
Palm oil free products
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's products 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.
Cage-free eggs commitment
This company is listed on the RSPCA Australia website as 'cage-free and proud', signifying that this business is sourcing cage-free whole eggs or eggs used as an ingredient. Essentially cage-free means barn laid, which is better than cage eggs, but still much worse than free-range or organic eggs when it comes to animal welfare.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Australian chapter 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.
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website in the four key areas of Products, Planet, Communities and Business.
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)
Wilmar International Ltd
Praise
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)
14.5/20 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 14.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
41.6% 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 #16/816, with a total score of 41.6/100.
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)
43.5% 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 43.5%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
CDP Water Security score of B
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 B.
Source: CDP (2023)
75/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 75/100 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.
42.1% 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 #20/350, with a total score of 42.1/100.
Criticism
Deforestation & human rights
New research (2014) from Friends of the Earth in Indonesia, Liberia, Uganda and Nigeria, shows how Wilmar International, one of the world's largest palm oil traders, continue their abusive practices of deforestation and land-grabbing, despite promises to stop.
Palm oil sourcing
This company sources palm oil from 18 of the 25 dirty palm oil producers identified in the 2018 Greenpeace report "The Final Countdown". Despite announcing a groundbreaking 'no deforestation, no peat, no exploitation' policy in 2013, the report found that Wilmar still gets its palm oil from groups that are destroying rainforests and stealing land from local communities.
Human rights abuse
This article from German NGO Rainforest Rescue reveals how in Indonesia, people are driven off their land, and the rainforest they depend on to make a living is turned into giant palm oil plantations. Anyone who resists is intimidated, arrested or held at gunpoint. Wilmar's armed security forces have been used repeatedly to silence the people who defend themselves against land grab and violence. Wilmar operates plantations in Sumatra and Borneo that cover up to 600.000 hectares of land, and is notorious for illegal logging and human rights violations.
Labour abuses in Malaysia
A civil society coalition is calling on investors and buyers (including this company) of palm oil producer Felda Global Ventures (FGV) to take robust, transparent action to address ongoing risks. This follows the Wall Street Journal's expose of human trafficking, forced labor, withholding of wages and other abuses of workers on FGV's palm plantations in July 2015.
38.4% 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 38.4%.
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 11.62/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE (2023)
34/100 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 34/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
Information
Deforestation & human rights
Wilmar, the world's biggest trader in palm oil, is illegally logging rainforests, setting forests on fire and violating the rights of local communities in Indonesia, according to a 2007 report published by Friends of the Earth Netherlands. [Listed under information due to age of report]
Human rights in Indonesia
A 2016 report by Amnesty International found a range of labour rights abuses on the plantations operated by Wilmar's subsidiaries and suppliers in Indonesia. These abuses include worst forms of child labour, forced labour, discrimination against women workers, people being paid below the minimum wage, and workers suffering injuries from toxic chemicals. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
22.4% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 22.4/100 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.
Land grabs in Africa
This company has signed a letter of intent (https://bit.ly/2rdBlwn) to participate in the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which claims will lift 50 million people in Africa out of poverty by 2022. But according to a 2015 report by ActionAid, the scheme will benefit multinational companies at the expense of small-scale farmers and is likely to increase poverty and inequality in Africa. Launched in 2012, the New Alliance provides aid money from rich countries like the US and the UK, and helps big business invest in the African agricultural sector. But in return, African countries are required to change their land, seed and trade rules in favour of big business. The New Alliance will: Make it easier for big corporations to grab land in Africa: Prevent farmers from breeding, saving and exchanging seeds: Heavily promote chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which increase farmers’ risk of debt as well as damaging the environment and farmers' health: Replace family farms with low paid, insecure jobs; and Prevent countries from restricting crop exports, even at times of domestic shortage.
No Deforestation Policy
In Dec 2013 Wilmar announced a No Deforestation Policy in response to years of pressure from Greenpeace, NGOs and consumers around the world. The policy has the potential to transform the controversial palm oil industry, says Greenpeace. Greenpeace are closely monitoring how Wilmar puts these words into action, and are calling on the company to immediately stop buying from companies involved in deforestation.
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website including responsible plantation management.
Bonsucro member
This company is a member of Bonsucro - Better Sugar Cane Initiative, a global non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation fostering the sustainability of the sugarcane sector through its leading metric-based certification scheme and its support for continuous improvement for members.
38.1% 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 #13/112, with a total score of 38.1%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
Facing Finance profile
This company is listed on the Facing Finance website as a company that manufactures weapons or profits from violations of human rights, pollution, corruption, or international law. Follow link for further details.
BankTrack profile
BankTrack is a global network of civil society organisations and individuals tracking the operations of the banking sector and the activities they finance. Banktrack aims to promote fundamental changes in the banking sector so that banks adopt just and sustainable business practices. BankTrack also has profiles on companies, such as this one, which have been the subject of civil society campaigns for damaging the environment or society. Follow the link to see this company's profile.
> About the Icons

Company Details

Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue:
2.2 billion AUD (2018)
Employees:
5,510 (2018)
Subsidiaries:
Meadow Fresh NZ Ltd
Dairy company
Meadow Fresh NZ became part of Goodman Fielder in 2005.

Contact Details

Address:
T2, 39 Delhi Rd, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
Phone:
02 8899 7000
Website:
www.goodmanfielder.com.au

Products / Brands

Goodman Fielder
Atlantic Bakery Bread
Buttercup Bread
Cornwells Vinegar
Cornwells Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Country Life Bread
Country Split Bread
Crisco Cooking Oil
Defiance Flour & Bread Mix
Donna Hay Cake Mix
ETA Cooking Oil
ETA Butter & Margarine
ETA Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
ETA Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Gold'nCanola Cooking Oil
Gold'nCanola Butter & Margarine
Helgas Flat Bread
Helgas Bread
Holbrooks Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Kream Flour & Bread Mix
La Famiglia Bread
Lawson's Bread
Logicol Butter & Margarine
Meadow Lea Butter & Margarine
Mighty Soft Bread
Oli & Vine Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Olive Grove Butter & Margarine
Olive Grove Olive Oil
★ Australian Extra Virgin certified
One Night in Mexico Mexican
Pampas Frozen Desserts/Fruit
Pampas Frozen Pastry
Paul Newman's Own Pasta Sauce
Paul Newman's Own Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Pavlova Magic Pudding & Custard
Pavlova Magic Cake Mix
Plantry Vegetarian & Vegan
Plantry Frozen Meals/Pizza
Praise Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Supafry Butter & Margarine
Taylors Bread
White Wings Gravy
White Wings Flour & Bread Mix
★ some products certified organic
White Wings Pudding & Custard
White Wings Cake Mix
Wonder Flat Bread
Wonder Bread