Our Initiatives

Sobeys Deforestation Commitment

Along with our industry partners we are working towards supporting the Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) net-zero deforestation initiative that is aimed at addressing further tropical deforestation by 2020.

Our Approach

Sobeys is a member of the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and annually reports on our use of purchased CSPO and RSPO credits.

Sobeys also released a Palm Oil Sourcing Policy in February 2016 to all vendors that manufacture private label products containing palm oil.

Palm Oil

Palm oil has emerged as a popular alternative to other fats used in confectionary, baking and personal care items.

Increased demand for agriculture space for palm plantations has led to significant tropical deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia. This has resulted in the loss of valuable biodiversity and the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere due to clear cutting and slash burning of tropical forests.

Palm oil is used in a number of Sobeys’ private label products. While the total amount of palm oil used is small, we recognize that it is important that we work to responsibly source oil to minimize its impacts on deforestation.

By 2020, we will completely transition to the use of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) as defined by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Our Progress to date:

  • As of December 2018, 97% of Compliments and Sensations products are fully physically traceable Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). This represents a 16% increase from December 2016.
  • We understand unsustainable farming practices also play a role in deforestation and cause significant impacts to the local communities we source from. That is why we invest in Fairtrade products around the world. Click here to learn more about our Fairtrade Bananas.

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