Food Giant Nestlé Reconsiders Buying Meat and Cocoa From Brazilian Suppliers

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The world biggest food company Nestlé is “reconsidering” its purchases of meat and cocoa from Brazilian suppliers. The food giant wants to be sure that the products it imports from Brazil are not contributing to the destruction of the Amazon.

The company said it will take “corrective actions” if it detects suppliers violating its standards.

Company executives met on Monday at the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP) to debate the fires in the Amazon forest. Representatives of other European companies were also present.

The fires have prompted criticism from European countries, such as France and Ireland, which challenged the agreement recently signed between Mercosur and the European Union (EU). The concerns over the forest have also led celebrities and international NGOs to call for its protection.

Under pressure, companies are beginning to scrutinize purchases from Brazilian suppliers. The first was the US-based VF Corporation, manufacturer of footwear and leather accessories and owner of 18 brands, such as Timberland and Kipling. Last week, the company reported that it will not buy more Brazilian raw material due to concerns over environmental compliance in the production chain.

Nestlé is considering the same approach. “We are using a combination of tools, including mapping the supply chain, certification, satellite monitoring and on-site inspection,” said a spokesman for the Swiss food giant.

In addition to meat and cocoa, the company buys soybean and palm oil. In 2010, the manufacturer pledged that its products would not be associated with deforestation.

Experts fear that the international repercussions of the burning in the Amazon will lead to a consumer boycott of Brazilian products. Others caution that, under pressure from governments, companies may raise trade barriers against Brazilian suppliers.

According to NGO Amazon Watch, soybean plantations and cattle pasture are the main drivers of deforestation in the Amazon forest.

In August of this year, the number of fires in the Amazon region tripled compared to August of last year, from 10,421 in 2018 to 30,901 in 2019. The previous record was nine years ago.