FoodMan is a member of Ethical Trade Norway
We consider sustainable business practices as a prerequisite for sustainable development, which entails meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent the global action plan for sustainable development. We have developed a sustainability policy, which along with FoodMan's Code of Conduct, forms the foundation of our sustainability efforts. FoodMan's sustainability goals are aligned with the UN's SDGs, and we actively work towards achieving them. FoodMan AS is a proud member and supporter of Ethical Trade Norway (ETN).
As a member of Ethical Trade Norway, we commit to actively engage in due diligence for sustainable business practices. Due diligence is a risk-based approach to respecting and safeguarding people, communities, and the environment in our own operations and throughout the supply chain. We expect our suppliers and partners to follow the same approach.
Challenges in the industry
As a producer of nuts, snacks, and chocolate, imports are a significant part of our daily operations. Today, Asia and South America are two of our most important collaboration areas.
We recognize that working conditions in the regions from which we import are not always acceptable in all respects. However, FoodMan works closely with its major partners and makes significant efforts to provide adequate structural oversight. We are committed to continually raising our standards for enhanced knowledge, better assessment, and a faster and more proactive approach. Given the numerous suppliers and sub-suppliers we work with, it is crucial for us to address this proactively while ensuring a pace that allows for genuine and sustainable progress.
Health and safety
FoodMan is conscious of its social responsibility, and our goal is to combine sound business practices with social and environmental responsibility. An important aspect of social responsibility is the working conditions of the workers involved in the production of the products sold by FoodMan.
Health and safety
FoodMan is conscious of its social responsibility, and our goal is to combine sound business practices with social and environmental responsibility. An important aspect of social responsibility is the working conditions of the workers involved in the production of the products sold by FoodMan.
To clarify our stance to all our suppliers, our own employees, and other partners, we have established the FoodMan Code of Conduct. These ethical guidelines follow internationally recognized labor and environmental standards, as well as our own ethical requirements. We strive for respect for human and labor rights as well as environmental conservation, both within our company and towards our business partners. Companies engaged with FoodMan are expected to adhere to the FoodMan Code of Conduct. Additionally, FoodMan expects our suppliers to ensure that all subcontractors involved in the production of products sold to FoodMan also act in accordance with our ethical guidelines.The employees form the foundation of the entire company's existence, and we greatly value our workforce. Competence is a top priority, and we support our employees in obtaining vocational qualifications and other relevant additional education/training.
FoodMan AS aims to be a company with secure workplaces, a good working environment, and a low accident rate. Achieving this requires FoodMan to maintain a high level of activity regarding health and safety matters. To reach this goal, leaders at all levels are responsible for HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) work within their areas of responsibility, and HSE work is prioritized equally with productivity, quality, and finances.
FoodMan AS supports the right to membership in trade unions and other forms of democratically elected workers' representation. We will involve employee representatives and other relevant stakeholders in our work on sustainable business practices. It shall be ensured that employees can report violations of their labor rights and breaches of guidelines for health, safety, and environmental matters in the workplace.
There shall be no forced labor or involuntary servitude at FoodMan or our subcontractors. Workers shall not be required to lodge deposits or identity papers with their employers and shall be free to leave their employer after reasonable notice.
The minimum age for workers shall not be less than 15 years of age and shall be in accordance with the national legal age for work or the age of completion of compulsory education, whichever is higher. If the local minimum age is set at 14 years in accordance with exceptions from developing countries under ILO Convention 138, this lower age may apply. No persons under the age of 18 shall be engaged in work that is hazardous to their health, safety, or morality, including night work.
FoodMan is dedicated to counteracting and preventing discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs, both internally within the company and among our subcontractors. We commit to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with respect and dignity, and where their individual differences and backgrounds are valued. Our zero-tolerance approach to discrimination is a crucial part of our commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Ethical Trade
FoodMan is certified by FSSC 22000, Rainforest Alliance, and Debio. We also encourage our suppliers to join SEDEX, an organization that helps businesses gain insight and visibility into their supply chain, assess risks, and comply with laws and regulations. We require SMETA audits in certain countries.
Risk assessments are important to us. We identify potential negative consequences for people, communities, and the environment and take measures to stop, prevent, and reduce impact. We practice responsible purchasing and work to empower our suppliers. We thoroughly evaluate new suppliers before making purchases and encourage open dialogue and trusted relationships.
Responsible Purchasing Practices
FoodMan AS considers responsible purchasing practices as one of our key tools in promoting sustainable business practices. We will adapt our own purchasing practices to strengthen, rather than undermine, suppliers' ability to meet the requirements we set to ensure good conditions for people, communities, and the environment. We follow the Brundtland Commission report and the UN's guidelines on corporate responsibility for human rights. We also support OECD's guidelines for due diligence and encourage supplier development and partnerships. We avoid trading partners involved in trade boycotts imposed by the UN and/or Norwegian authorities.
Supplier Development and Partnerships
We collaborate with our suppliers and support them with expertise and resources to meet FoodMan AS' requirements in the supply chain. We lay the foundation for strong partnerships with suppliers who are willing and able to contribute to positive development for people, communities, and the environment.
Countries Under Trade Embargo
FoodMan AS, including our suppliers and partners, shall avoid trading partners with activities in countries under trade embargoes imposed by the UN and/or Norwegian authorities.
Environment
FoodMan AS is committed to complying with government environmental requirements and continuously developing processes, products, and practices that reduce our impact on the environment. The use of energy, water, consumption, and waste will be monitored and reduced. We will enhance environmental awareness among employees through information and training.
Environment
FoodMan AS is committed to complying with government environmental requirements and continuously developing processes, products, and practices that reduce our impact on the environment. The use of energy, water, consumption, and waste will be monitored and reduced. We will enhance environmental awareness among employees through information and training.
Negative environmental impact should be reduced throughout the value chain. In line with the precautionary principle, measures should be implemented to continuously minimize greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution, the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, and to ensure sustainable resource extraction and management of water, oceans, forests, and land, as well as preservation of biodiversity. National and international environmental laws and regulations must be respected, and relevant emission permits obtained. We shall maintain an environmental account to assess our environmental footprint. We must make conscious choices and be aware of the impact our decisions have on our environmental account.
We will strive to not purchase more than we need and always be conscious of how we utilize our resources in production. Our processes will minimize the risk of products expiring before they are consumed.
We will have a conscious attitude towards the use of disposable items in our factory and actively seek solutions that reduce the need for disposable items where possible. FoodMan will work towards new, sustainable solutions for disposable items that reduce waste production.
The use of sustainable packaging materials is an important focus area. FoodMan is closely monitoring the development of recyclable and increasingly environmentally friendly packaging. In the long term, the goal is for the packaging we use for our products to be recyclable.
All waste from our factory and operations should be sorted as thoroughly as possible for recycling. By measuring the amount of waste each week, we can actively work on reducing measures at all stages, from procurement to finished products.
At FoodMan, we use a significant amount of oil in our production. Food waste/oil is a resource if treated properly, and our goal is for this waste to become a tradable commodity. Food waste will always be donated/redistributed, commonly known as food redistribution, if possible. If the food is not suitable for human consumption, it will always be redirected to animal feed production if the relevant quality criteria are met.
In 2022, we initiated the development of our own carbon footprint assessment. Measures have been taken to reduce emissions by decreasing energy consumption and implementing a renewable energy source. To implement the most effective emission-reducing measures, we need to identify the areas of highest impact. Therefore, we are continuing our assessment efforts in 2023.
We will monitor our energy consumption closely and make conscious decisions regarding new investments and maintenance work on equipment that affects our energy usage. This ensures that we are actively managing and minimizing our environmental footprint.
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