Responsible palm oil sourcing

The Hershey Company has announced a new palm oil sourcing policy that updates and strengthens its commitment to source 100 per cent traceable and responsible palm oil, a commitment the company announced in December 2013.

The comprehensive sourcing policy details the requirements to which all suppliers in the company’s palm oil supply chain will be held accountable. In addition to provisions that protect against deforestation, preserve native species’ habitats and protect the environment, the new sourcing policy also provides details on labour and human rights protections and the inclusion of smallholder palm farmers in the supply chain.

“Since we first joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in 2011, we have strived to ensure we are responsibly sourcing palm oil,” says Frank Day, vice president of global commodities at The Hershey Company. “Our new sourcing policy gives our stakeholders the roadmap for how we will go beyond RSPO-certified palm oil and achieve a truly responsible and sustainable palm oil supply chain at The Hershey Company. Our new palm oil sourcing approach positions us as a leader among global food companies in sustainable palm oil.”