It seems you can’t turn on the TV without seeing a broadcast of some natural disaster somewhere in the world. Be it floods in Brazil, earthquakes in Turkey or cyclones in New Zealand. Some might argue it’s climate change; others might argue that it’s just mother nature acting. Whatever your position on the issue, one thing is certain: political parties are putting a lot of pressure on big corporations around the world to reduce their carbon footprints, and that includes the infant formula industry.
I know what you’re thinking. Woah! Hold your horses. How does climate change and reducing the carbon footprint fit into infant formula production? Great question! There are two areas where infant formula production affects climate change and has an environmental impact. The first is through the high consumption of natural resources, and the second is through animal agriculture processes that produce very high amounts of greenhouse gases. Infant formula is made with ingredients obtained from animal agriculture. And it doesn’t end there; production and distribution are also part of the theme.
Therefore, sustainability was introduced in the infant formula industry, which is why sustainable practices need to be adopted. Ah ha! Let’s start drawing here! Consumers around the world know that they have enormous power, known as purchasing power, and they know the impact their decisions have on the environment. Just think about it. Consumers are babies; buyers are mothers. Of course, it’s only natural that new moms want to spend their hard-earned money on high-quality products from manufacturers that adhere to sustainability practices that align with their values. Manufacturers, on the other hand, strive to produce products that meet the growing demand for green and organic products.
The sustainability practices of European organic infant formulas
So how does European organic baby formula make it to the table? What are they doing to adhere to the growing consumer demand for more sustainable practices? A lot! Below is a breakdown of the sustainability practices that many of the manufacturers in the European organic infant formula industry have put in place.
Organic ingredients
First, manufacturers are moving away from GMO-containing ingredients and moving to using only organic ingredients in their formulas. Hooray! For mom and baby! Let’s break this point down further. No harmful synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are used in the cultivation of the ingredients found in organic formulas. The most important aspect of this practice is that your baby should not consume any of these harmful ingredients. Delicious! But this is not all! The soil used in the production of the vegetable ingredients used in the organic formula is conserved.
This means that the soil remains fertile for later use. This practice alone brings many benefits and helps save the planet and create a world that your little bundle of joy can enjoy for many years to come!
Reduction in the use of plastic
Plastic is a major contributor to global warming. Eek! Everything is made of plastic! How do we overcome this? Well, many companies are trying to completely eliminate the use of plastic in their packaging. The baby formula industry has taken steps to reduce, but not yet completely eliminate, the use of plastic in its packaging. Cheers to taking a step in the right direction!
So what is the alternative to plastic? Easy! Biodegradable and paper packaging! As a responsible parent, making responsible decisions for your baby and the future of the planet, you can be sure that when you buy this product, you are helping to fight the scourge known as climate change. Less plastic in the environment means less plastic in landfills and less plastic in the ocean! Yippee!
Waste reduction
In the manufacturing process, there is a push towards lean production. This basically means that manufacturers try to reduce and, if possible, eliminate waste by-products that occur in the production process. In the infant formula production industry, this translates into less food waste and sustainable practices that promote recycling.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is a big buzzword in many industries. But what exactly is renewable energy? And how can it be used in the manufacturing process of infant formula? Well, that’s another great question! Renewable energy refers to the use of sustainably produced energy. This typically includes solar and wind power. By using renewable energy in the production process, manufacturers who produce organic infant formulas also reduce their carbon footprint. Well done!
Production and manufacturing plants produce large amounts of greenhouse gases each year. These gases are released into the atmosphere and contribute significantly to global warming, leading to further climate change. By using renewable energy, organic infant formula manufacturers are coming to the table with their contributions and efforts to fight global warming.
fair trade
Bringing change doesn’t just happen at the top; it must be filtered to the bottom. This is where fair trade comes into play. Manufacturers who practice sustainability strive to do business only with farmers who treat and pay their workers ethically and use their sustainable practices. The same applies to suppliers. So what does this mean for people at the other end of the scale?
Communities that practice sustainable agriculture are supported. In turn, these communities can ensure that their people are lifted up and that they can provide a certain standard of living for their families while lifting themselves out of poverty. Hooray! In the end, everyone wins!
Animal Welfare
Manufacturers must ensure that they source their ingredients, especially those derived from animals, responsibly. These animals should not be subjected to cruelty or inhumane practices. Apart from these sustainable practices and ethical codes of conduct that these manufacturers adhere to, they often have a certificate that they obtain from regulatory bodies to ensure that they meet and adhere to the minimum standards set by these regulatory bodies in terms of ‘ethical standards. and environmental standards in the production process.
The ultimate goal of European organic baby formula manufacturers is to ensure that they not only adhere to sustainable production processes, but also comply. Throughout the process, from the people who work in the industry to the animals that produce some of the products used in the organic baby formula ingredient list, everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.