Ahold is committed
The human face of food retail
Ahold and the environment
Giant-Carlisle
and risks for Ahold. A professional food
safety program is crucial to safeguard
and enhance consumer trust in the brand
value of Ahold-associated companies.
In 1999, an Ahold Global Food Safety
Committee was formed, reporting directly
to the Corporate Executive Board. A global
food safety network has been established
to facilitate the exchange of best practice
among all food safety managers.
Consumer information is an important
part of Ahold's food safety effort. In the
US, Giant-Landover worked with the US
Department of Agriculture to develop an
international food safety program called
'Don't put it on the bun until it's done!'
The program, which encourages the
proper cooking of ground beef, has been
embraced by other Ahold USA companies
and is included as part of their ongoing
consumer information efforts. At Ahold's
Brazilian joint venture Bomprepo, the
annual Customer Festival attracts thou
sands of customers eager to know more
about healthy eating habits, food safety
and child nutrition.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology and genetic modification
are major public issues in many parts
of the world. Ahold is a strong supporter
of biotechnology and has no principle
objection to the responsible use of
genetic modification if there are clear,
demonstrable benefits to consumers.
Products made with this technology
must have the approval of regulatory
authorities based on their safety and
environmental impact. Ahold believes
that consumers have a right to know
where their food comes from and how
it is made, and that buying is about free
choice. Ahold operating companies and
joint venture partners work with local
farmers to offer customers a great variety
of organic products, the production of
which has less impact on the environ
ment. Ahold also promotes appropriate
labeling of any products made with the
help of biotechnology and/or genetic
modification.
Supporting sustainable agriculture
Important advances were made in
agri-supply chain management in 1999.
The aim was to offer product integrity
'from farm to fork' by reducing negative
impact on the environment, promoting
animal welfare and shortening the supply
chain. The 'Earth Values' program of
agri-supply chain management at Albert
Heijn in The Netherlands was extended
from fruit and vegetables to beef, chicken,
pork and other categories. Albert Fleijn
works closely with partners in the supply
chain and has set standards for good
agricultural practices to move towards
more sustainable production. Ahold has
also established integrated agri-supply
chain programs at its joint venture oper
ations in Thailand and Brazil.
Sales of organic products have grown
in many markets around the world.
Giant-Carlisle offers some 1,400 organic
and natural branded products store-wide
and is gaining recognition as a leading
full-service grocer in organic products.
Albert Heijn's private label organic line
included 200 products by 1999 year-end.
Urban revitalization
Ahold companies are committed to
investing in the communities in which
Environmental strategy is increasingly embedded in
Ahold's core business practices. The company strives to
be environmentally responsible in every market in which
it operates. Ahold's attitude reflects its conviction that
good environmental practice is fundamental to growth.
Ahold-associated companies around the world work on
several important projects related to product sourcing to anticipate customer needs for safe, quality
choices that reflect care for the environment. Behind the scenes, business results are enhanced by new
and ongoing energy efficiency programs, innovation in refrigeration systems, solutions to reduce waste
and packaging, improved transportation efficiency and prevention of water pollution. In February 2000,
Ahold issued its second status report, 'Ahold and the Environment', informing managers, associates
and other stakeholders about key environmental issues, priorities and examples of best practice.
38 Royal Ahold Annual Report 1999
