Cranberry juice product producers
Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 650 cranberry growers in USA, and is North America's best-selling brand in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Aug 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc
Praise
Criticism
Information
Sustainable cropping
In 2020 Ocean Spray took advantage of the natural sustainability of growing cranberries to become the first major food manufacturer in the United States to have its entire crop be certified "100 percent sustainable." Specifically, the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) used its Farm Sustainability Assessment to verify that each organization within Ocean Spray's 700-farm co-op is operating with regenerative agriculture in mind.
Source: company website
(2020)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
0/20 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 0/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
8.9% 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 #242/350, with a total score of 8.9/100.
5.3% 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 #636/816, with a total score of 5.3/100.
Fined $US5.4m for false advertising
In 2020 Ocean Spray agreed to pay $5.4 million to resolve claims that some of their juices are falsely advertised as containing "no artificial flavors."
Source: Top Class Actions
(2020)
BPA use
EWG's 2015 report "BPA in Canned Food" analyzed 252 canned food brands to find out which ones are still using BPA (bisphenol A), a synthetic estrogen found in the epoxy coatings of food cans which has been linked to many health problems. This company was amongst the 'Worst Players' for exclusively using cans with BPA.
Possible GE in US brands
This company has products rated RED in the Centre for Food Safety's True Food Shopper's Guide (USA). Products on the RED list contain ingredients that come from the most common GE crops (corn, soy, canola, cotton). Companies with products on this list have confirmed that their products may have or are likely to be made with GE ingredients, or have not denied using GE foods when given the opportunity to do so.
Palm oil free products
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's dried fruit 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.
Source: BOS Australia
(2020)
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)
SAI member
Social Accountability International (SAI) is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation established to advance the human rights of workers by promoting decent work conditions, labor rights, and corporate social responsibility through the voluntary SA8000 Standard.
Source: SAI
(2020)
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle
(2023)
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.
Source: Sustainability Consortium
(2019)
Partnership with Heinz Australia
Ocean Spray and Heinz announced that, from 1 March 2010, Heinz will manufacture and distribute the Ocean Spray range of beverages and sauces in Australia.
Source: Heinz Australia
(2010)
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
(2020)
Company Details
Type:
Co-operative
Revenue:
2 billion USD
(2016)
Employees:
2,000
(2016)
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Ocean Spray / Stuart Alexander (distribution & marketing)
Ocean Spray
Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Ocean Spray
Juice & Fruit Drinks
Ocean Spray Craisins
Dried Fruit & Nuts