The benefits of sustainability labels
Sustainable consumption continues to grow. Sustainable turnover in Flanders, for example, rose by a third in 2017. Flemish consumers are not only spending more on sustainable food, they also have an opinion about it. Three quarters of Flemish people see value in using labels to indicate how sustainable a food product is.
Edith Castelein
The benefits of sustainability labels
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable consumption continues to grow. Sustainable turnover in Flanders, for example, rose by a third in 2017. In concrete terms, Flemish consumers spent EUR 585 million on sustainable consumption in 2017, compared with EUR 429 million in 2015.
Flemish consumers are not only spending more on sustainable food, they also have an opinion about it. In the MONITOR DUURZAME VOEDSELKEUZES (Sustainable Food Choices Monitor), Flemish consumers indicate that they need correct, clear and simple information. Three quarters of Flemish people therefore see value in using labels to indicate how sustainable a food product is.
Investing in sustainability labels can therefore add value to your business. In this article, we tell you more about four important labels within the food industry and explain why each label can be worthwhile.
MSC & ASC
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international label for sustainable wild fish. The label guarantees that wild fish has been caught with respect for the environment and animal welfare. In other words, every fish carrying the MSC label has been caught 100% sustainably, without harming the ecosystem.
There is also the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) label for sustainably farmed fish such as salmon, tilapia, trout, pangasius, prawns and seaweed. Fish products carrying this label are produced under good working conditions and with respect for the environment. The ASC label also pays attention to animal welfare: a health plan is drawn up for the farmed fish, and antibiotics and other medicines are strictly off limits.
The above rise in turnover for sustainable products is largely due to the strong growth in consumption of sustainable fish. Compared with 2015, consumption almost doubled in 2017. As 47% of Flemish people say animal welfare is an important reason for choosing sustainable food, we expect this trend to continue in future.
Fairtrade
FAIRTRADE is an international label for fair trade with the Global South. It is found on food products, textiles and cosmetics, among other things. The label guarantees attention to the environment and good working conditions. In concrete terms, it provides financial support to farmers and their communities through a minimum price and a premium. The producer therefore always receives a fair price in proportion to the actual production cost.
The FAIRTRADE label appears to be quite attractive for the Belgian market. Research shows that 93% of Belgians see FAIRTRADE as a trustworthy brand, 75% recognise the logo, and almost 70% bought FAIRTRADE products themselves in the past year. FAIRTRADE is also a stable grower: both sales value and volume sold have shown continuous growth, with spending rising by almost a third to more than EUR 80 million over 2 years.
RSPO
RSPO, or the ROUNDTABLE ON SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL, is an international label for palm oil. Products carrying an RSPO label, including cosmetics and food, are produced according to 8 principles: transparency, respect for local legislation, integrated cultivation, attention to the environment, good working conditions and continuous improvement.
Within the sustainability debate, buyers value not only ecological impact but also social and individual sustainability. Food produced with respect for people and nature can therefore certainly count on appreciation.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance label is the successor to and replacement for the well-known UTZ certification. This label can be found on coffee, tea, hazelnuts, cocoa, palm oil, bananas and more, sourced from farmers who care about people and the environment. This international label for sustainable agriculture in the Global South guarantees good working conditions and a limited impact on the environment.
The label is managed and independently audited by Rainforest Alliance, which complies with the standards set by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN). Farmers who meet that standard are recognised with the Rainforest Alliance label. SAN promotes efficient and productive agriculture, the preservation of biodiversity and a sustainable way of life through environmental and social criteria.
