NH Foods Australia
Meat wholesaling
Formerly known as Nippon Meat Packers Australia. One of Australia's major beef processors. They export to over 34 countries and also supply the Australian domestic beef market. Operates 3 beef processing plants and a feedlot.

Overall

Owned JPN
Rating F
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

NH Foods Australia Pty Ltd
AUS
NH Foods Ltd
owns 100% of NH Foods Australia Pty Ltd
JPN
Food processors
Formerly known as Nippon Meat Packers. Japan's #1 meat company, #5 in world. As well as fresh meats they provide processed, marine, dairy and health foods.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Nov 2024)
NH Foods Australia Pty Ltd
Criticism
Feedlot operations
This company operates feedlots. A feedlot is an intensive confinement animal feeding operation (CAFO) for cattle, much like a factory for 'battery chickens'. Each animal has 5 to 10 square metres of space in a pen of 50 to 200 cattle. The cattle are forced to stand and sleep in their own dung and urine, and endure extremes of weather (especially heat). Close confinement means a much higher risk of disease so antibiotic drugs are routinely used. Grain feed commonly causes their digestive systems to be acidic. Cattle spend up to a year in feedlots, where they are fattened up before slaughter.
Information
Farm Transparency Project profile
The Farm Transparency Project Repository is a public repository/gallery for videos, photos, documents and campaign materials relating to the animal rights movement in Australia. Follow the link to see their profile on this company.
No tax paid in 2019-20
According to data released by the Australian Tax Office in Jan 2022, this company was one of many local and foreign-based companies that paid no tax in Australia in 2019-20. Please note however that companies pay income tax on profits, not revenue (total income). While some companies use tax havens and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of tax in Australia, other companies that paid no tax have perfectly legitimate reasons.
Source: ATO (2022)
NH Foods 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 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)
Criticism
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's list of food and beverage companies that tests on animals, signifying that: it has not signed PETA's Statement of Assurance document; has definitively conducted, funded, commissioned, or allowed animal testing that is not explicitly required by law or by written requirements by government agencies; and has not adequately resolved this issue in private discussions with PETA.
Source: PETA (2024)
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.
4.5/20 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 4.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
13% 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 #201/350, with a total score of 13/100.
12.7% 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 #462/816, with a total score of 12.7/100.
Information
Beef mislabelling scandal
Nippon Meat Packers was embroiled in a beef mislabelling scandal in 2002. The company had falsely labelled foreign beef as domestic beef in order to gain government beef buy-back subsidies during Japan's mad-cow disease crisis.
43/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 43/100 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.
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Company Details

Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue:
842 million AUD (2014)
Employees:
1,736 (2014)

Contact Details

Address:
L8, 2 Elizabeth Plaza, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia
Phone:
02 8918 0000
Website:
www.nh-foods.com.au

Products / Brands

NH Foods Australia
Borthwicks Beef
Oakey Beef
Wingham Beef