McCain Foods India Cuts Emissions By 30% & Makes Packaging 90% Recyclable: Here’s How

McCain Foods India published its 2024 India Sustainability Report, which reveals significant progress in environmental preservation and sustainable food production. Progress in a few of the major areas in line with McCain's global sustainability objectives is showcased, and some Indian-specific ones are also highlighted. McCain Foods India recorded a decrease in Scope 3 emission intensity by 30% and stated that 28% of electricity used is renewable currently. As part of its initiative to launch sustainable packaging, 90% of the packaging of McCain has been designed to be recyclable. One of its sustainable sourcing initiatives, the company is already on track to use 100% RSPO segregated palm oil in McCain-owned products by the year 2025. In food innovation and nutrition, McCain India achieved a 16% decrease in the amount of sodium used in its own branded appetizer foods from that of 2018. The company also improved water use efficiency by 25% over levels in 2017, yet another demonstration of its efforts towards the reduction of the usage of resources in food manufacturing operations.

Community development projects too were highlighted, Project Utthan being behind the 25% jump in margins of marginal farmers due to encouragement of short-duration high-yielding crops. Safety in foods still leads, as McCain India retains Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification of the Mehsana factory and gained 100% GFSI certification for all tier-one ingredient supplier facilities. The report further mentions the growing integration of McCain Foods India in the company's regenerative farming objectives, whereby 71% of the globe's potato hectares has now signed up for McCain's Regenerative Agriculture Framework. The initiative encourages the transition to sustainable farming techniques to enhance soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.

In operations, McCain Foods India has included sustainable practices within the value chain of sourcing and manufacturing to initiate energy transition activities and farm emissions, engaging farmers in support of good farm practice. McCain Foods also made sustained strategic advancements in food innovation by transforming food through simpler and more recognizable ingredients and decreasing sodium content to promote healthier diets. The packaging strategy also included recyclability as its core design driver and was directed towards achieving 90% packaging recyclability and towards McCain's goal of 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025.

Water conservation was also pursued stringently in India, where best-in-class irrigation methods and resource optimization programs have recorded significant water use per unit of production. Renewable energy integration is yet another success story, which has helped India shift towards clean energy sources in the food processing sector. In agriculture, getting Indian farmers to implement regenerative agriculture practices supports the company's global vision of achieving full adoption of regenerative practices on all potato farms by 2030.

The report further referenced the work of McCain India for community welfare through Project Utthan, an endeavour for enhancing farmer livelihoods through enabling the shift to more lucrative crops and farming. The project helps ensure income security and farm sustainability and resilience. Successes in food safety by McCain Foods India also demonstrate its quest for excellence in all activities so that foods meet international-level stringency certification level.

As McCain Foods India extends its sustainability initiatives further, incorporating ESG consideration into its business operations is all part of the larger global food industry shifts toward increased transparency, accountability, and resilience. Its areas of interest lie in lowering emissions, making resource utilization more efficient, and developing sustainable communities through partnerships with farmers, suppliers, and community stakeholders. These are to generate long-term value and enable more general global objectives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through ongoing efforts at reductions via emissions reduction, utilization of renewable energy, green packaging, food innovation, and community development, McCain Foods India is paving the way for sustainable food manufacturing practices. By incorporating sustainability into all aspects of its operation from farm to fork, the company further reinforces its commitment towards making environmental, social, and economic contributions not only locally in India but worldwide through its global business as well.

Source/Credits: McCain Foods Limited's 2024 Sustainability Report