Dive Brief:

• As Ahold Delhaize nears fulfillment of its 2020 sustainability targets, the company has announced a new set of goals to build on current initiatives and continue promoting health and sustainability, according to a press release.
• Ahold Delhaize wants to increase sales of healthy private label products to 51% of all store brand sales by 2022. The grocer also plans to provide more information about where the products are sourced and how they are produced.
• Additionally, Ahold Delhaize plans to cut its food waste in half by 2030 and will continue to work toward its existing goal of zero plastic waste in its private label product packaging by 2025. When it comes to offering customers healthier choices, Ahold Delhaize said it will continue to reformulate products to reduce salt, sugar and fats, and will provide nutritional guidance through systems like Nutri-Score or Guiding Stars. 

Dive Insight:

Food waste reduction and elimination is a focal point across the U.S. food retail industry as it targets consumer sentiment and demands. In order to hold up against rival competitors' sustainability initiatives and goals, Ahold Delhaize has to double down on its goals. 

The retailer said it wants to take a page from its own seafood transparency initiative and apply that framework to its fresh produce and meat supply chains. Ahold Delhaize currently participates in the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative and works with similar organizations worldwide to source seafood responsibly.

Ahold Delhaize added that it will implement more effective replenishment systems and use methods like dynamic pricing based on sell-by date to help achieve the goal. It also wants to partner with organizations that can repurpose unsold but safe food, and plans to partner with 20 key suppliers to further reduce waste.

Prior to its new sustainability goals, Ahold Delhaize announced plans to clean up its store brand products two years ago, committing to the removal of artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners, MSG and high-fructose corn syrup from private label products. Last September, it also introduced plans to reduce chemicals of concern. 

As an international retailer, Ahold Delhaize holds significant influence in helping advance sustainability on a global scale. While its recent efforts have been commended, its commitments are relatively new. According to a recent report from Greenpeace, Ahold Delhaize has work to do when it comes to reducing its plastic footprint, though the organization did acknowledge the retailer’s public commitment as progress.

Safer Chemicals released a report in November grading retailers on their efforts to remove toxic chemicals. Ahold Delhaize received a C-minus grade but was recognized as the most-improved retailer.

Competitors making progress toward sustainability include Kroger, which has released its own line of plant-based meats and is eliminating single-use plastic bags, and Albertsons which has added eco-friendly products to its store brands. H-E-B has also committed to sustainable seafood, and Aldi is working toward offering more sustainable packaging.