March 15, 2018 – Ahold Delhaize and other members of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) – a group of executives from leading retailers and food manufacturers – published a report last month showing that more companies are engaging with their communities on health topics. The annual Health and Wellness Pillar Progress Report highlights a 26% rise in participation in health-related programs based on a 2017 survey of 83 CGF members, which collectively generate $2.97 trillion (€2.4 trillion) in revenues.
Community engagement remains a major focus for the consumer goods sector, as 85% of respondents said they have formed partnerships with local stakeholders. Nearly 6 in 10 were involved with food banks, for example, with 180 million meals distributed. Further, 1.6 million employees participated in workplace health and wellness programs, seen as a key step toward healthier communities.
The report notes that product reformulation is a continued focus as well. Indeed, 88% of companies introduced items that were formulated or reformulated to support healthier diets and lifestyles. This includes a 12% increase in the number of businesses cutting salt and sugar in their products.
Ahold Delhaize CEO Dick Boer and Nestlé S.A CEO Mark Schneider – the CGF board co-sponsors – wrote in the foreword to the report: “Our ambition to empower consumers to lead healthier lives is an important long-term objective that requires sustained effort. We are helping to improve the health of the communities we serve, but we know that there is so much more we can do together. Building upon our initial five-year plan from 2013, we now intend to strengthen our leadership in this area for the next five years and beyond.”
Read the CGF press release and the 2018 Health and Wellness Pillar Progress Report.
