When it comes to the climate crisis, the food system has a lot to answer for.

Even if we eliminate fossil fuel emissions entirely, the emissions produced by the current food system alone would stop the world from reaching the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. (9) 

This means change is coming. Whether it is concerning change, such as the impact of the climate crisis on the supply chain, or heartening change, such as evolving consumer tastes and speeded-up legislation; our food system is being reshaped in unprecedented ways.

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Did you know that switching out butter and eggs with plant-based alternatives can potentially save bakers up to 12% in production costs? Imagine the amount of money you could save if you understood exactly where your ingredients are from and what options you have to source them more cost-efficiently or even replace them less costly, high quality alternatives. (1)

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Following the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in 2021, companies couldn’t wait to showcase their sustainability achievements. However, only a year later at COP27, there was a noticeable hesitancy among companies to publicise their sustainability data. The term "greenhushing" has been gaining more traction to describe this phenomenon. Why has geenhushing quickly become a considerable trend? And why is engaging in greenhushing risky business for brands? Today we would like to answer these burning questions.

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H&M, The Gap and Primark – these fast fashion companies have had their share of child labour scandals in the past, but they are not the only industry that has come under fire. Over the years, many large and internationally known food companies have been found to have a supply chain riddled with ethical sourcing issues and human rights violations. One particular area that has been making continued negative headlines is the chocolate industry.

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On March 22nd 2023, the European Commission (EC) announced a proposal called the "Green Claims Directive", which aims to stop companies from falsely advertising their products as environmentally friendly.

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A term you will not get past in 2023, no matter whether you are a retailer or an F&B brand, is ESG. These three letters embody a whole host of policies that modern companies need to take into account when operating their business. Success in business is no longer just about the financial bottom line.

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The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) published a reporton 9th March 2023 calling for  carbon-neutral claims, including those onfood products, to be banned entirely. inoqo fully supports the BEUCs demand dueto the misleading nature of carbon-neutral labels.

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For our two-part series on ESG, a couple of weeks ago we shared Best Practice examples.

This week we will shine a light on the numerous reasons whyF&B companies should be putting ESG into practice.

ESG considerations are becoming increasingly important in the F&B industry as consumers are more conscious of the impact of their purchases on the environment and society, and investors are placing more emphasis on companies that prioritize sustainable and socially responsible practices.

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With sustainability becoming an absolute buzzword over the past few years, many companies are jumping on board the green train. However, all is not as positive as it seems, since one issue has arisen in the form of greenwashing. Paying lip service to sustainability has become very common. But beware, if a company is caught engaging in greenwashing, they will lose their customers’ trust and loyalty, which ultimately affects their bottom line.