Connectivity is key: holistic sustainability assessment and reporting from the perspective of food manufacturers

As members of the food supply chain, food manufacturers acquire power and hold responsibility for the sustainable transformation of our food systems. Sustainability assessment and reporting frameworks function as instruments to shape sustainable transformation processes. Their suitability for food manufacturing companies and their connectivity with the up- and downstream food supply chain is investigated here. The first section of the study explores the need for holistic, company-based sustainability frameworks in the food manufacturing sector from the literature. The second part compares seven frameworks, in terms of content and supply chain connectivity. Food sector specificity demands the inclusion of topics specific to food systems. Furthermore, none of the investigated frameworks fulfils both food sector specificity and full connectivity with the up- and downstream supply chain. As a limitation to this work, comparison of the frameworks at topic-level instead of indicator-level is considered. The findings call for more harmonised and integrated sustainability assessment throughout the food supply chain. The framework a food manufacturer should apply depends on their motivation behind conducting the sustainability assessment and reporting. Evidence is provided from various perspectives and with regard to key issues such as content, certification and communication. No comparison between sustainability frameworks has been made yet from the supply chain perspective of food manufacturers.