Transparency

It’s only possibly for companies to be held truly accountable if they are honest about the nature and impact of their work. The Behind the Brands Scorecard assesses how committed companies are to disclosing where they source their products and raw materials and under what conditions, as well as examining their lobbying practices and how they enforce their requirements on suppliers.

How are the scores formed?

We assessed publicly available information on the policies and commitments of the 'Big 10' food companies towards the sourcing of agricultural commodities from developing countries. The Scorecard looks at seven themes, weighing each theme equally. The index tackles some cutting edge issues that will require rigorous debate and dialogue between companies, civil society and industry experts. Find out more...

What do the scores mean?

  1. 8 - 10Good
  2. 6 - 7Fair
  3. 4 - 5Some progress
  4. 2 - 3Poor
  5. 0 - 1Very poor

  1. Nestlé

    Score
    7

    Pretty impressive. Nestle reveals where it sources from and how much it sources, and it reports well on sustainably. Shame its supplier data is lacking, though.

    See how Nestlé score on other issues

  2. Danone

    Score
    6

    Danone’s new Forest policy lists detail about what it sources, where it sources it and in what quantities – though key supplier information is lacking.

    See how Danone score on other issues

  3. Coca Cola

    Score
    5

    Along with Nestle, Coca-Cola is impressively honest and forthcoming about the auditing and compliance of its suppliers and about what happens if suppliers fall short.

    See how Coca Cola score on other issues

  4. Mars

    Score
    5

    For a private company, Mars is unusually open about the nature of its audits. It needs to reveal more about where its commodities come from, however.

    See how Mars score on other issues

  5. Unilever

    Score
    5

    It might be forthcoming about the volumes of commodities it sources and about its lobbying, but Unilever is fairly secretive about its suppliers.

    See how Unilever score on other issues

  6. Kellogg's

    Score
    4

    With a higher scorer on transparency, Kellogg is fairly open about its audits but much more secretive about the commodities used in its products.

    See how Kellogg's score on other issues

  7. Mondelez

    Score
    4

    Increasingly honest about its lobbying, Mondelez is otherwise elusive– disclosing little information about its own suppliers or their compliance with its code.

    See how Mondelez score on other issues

  8. PepsiCo

    Score
    4

    More transparent than the cola to which it gives its name, PepsiCo is open about its audit processes, but remains secretive about where it sources its commodities.

    See how PepsiCo score on other issues

  9. Associated British Foods plc

    Score
    3

    Room for improvement, but ABF provides some information about where it sources its raw materials and about the way in which suppliers are audited.

    See how Associated British Foods plc score on other issues

  10. General Mills

    Score
    2

    General Mills is the most secretive of the Big Ten companies. Of all the materials it sources, the only stats publically available are about palm oil. Everything else remains secret…

    See how General Mills score on other issues