Ajinomoto Group Beef Procurement Guidelines

Ajinomoto Group
Enacted July 2024

The Ajinomoto Group has products in more than 130 countries and regions and sources raw materials from even more geographies. Our business is built on a resilient food system consisting of a stable supply of food resources supported by a rich and abundant global environment.
But we recognize the burden our business places on the environment. All processes from raw material production to the final products emit greenhouse gases, create plastic waste, and result in food loss and waste, all of which pose environmental and societal risks. In addition, when natural forests are damaged, peatlands developed, and water and soil contaminated, ecosystems are damaged, making it difficult to maintain food resources. It is therefore urgent that businesses such as ours take measures to further decrease our environmental impact across the entire value chain.
This also includes supporting a healthy and vibrant society through the defense of human rights for all people involved in the supply chain and ensuring their occupational health and safety are protected. In addition, since we use animal-based raw materials, it is necessary for us to improve animal welfare.
We will work together with stakeholders throughout our supply chain to address these issues and make improvements to build a supply chain that positively impacts the environment and society.

1. Introduction

Beef is one of the key ingredients that support the Ajinomoto Group's business activities. As the global production and consumption of beef increases, it is becoming increasingly important as an ingredient. As a result of our supply chain risk assessment, we identified climate change, water, soil, biodiversity, and human rights as being critical. We are committed to building a sustainable beef supply chain by working together with our stakeholders to fulfill our social responsibility to stably procure beef and provide products. Furthermore, we will implement initiatives to positively impact the environment and society by providing support for producers, etc. Therefore, based on the Ajinomoto Group Shared Policy, we have established these guidelines, which stipulate matters related to the procurement of beef in addition to the matters described in the Guidelines for Group Shared Policy for Suppliers. In "3. Criteria" we set out the ideal sustainable beef procurement that the Ajinomoto Group aims to achieve. To realize these goals, we have set out the specific initiatives we will take and the numerical targets (KPIs) for 2030 in "4. Ajinomoto Group Action Guidelines."

2. Applicable items

These guidelines apply to beef products, which are the majority of the cattle-derived raw materials procured by the Ajinomoto Group. In the future, the application scope may be expanded. These guidelines also apply to all suppliers that handle beef products that the Ajinomoto Group purchases, trades, processes, or sells.

3. Criteria

The Ajinomoto Group aims to procure raw materials produced in accordance with the following criteria considering the risks and international requirements in procuring beef.

  1. Do not destroy primary or secondary forests, or develop protected areas or peatlands.

  2. When clearing new land for agriculture, implement better management practices to avoid and mitigate loss of natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

  3. Carry out water intake, discharge, and use with consideration for the circulation of water resources.

  4. Maintain and improve soil health.

  5. Take measures to appropriately dispose of, reduce, and recycle waste.

  6. Implement better management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  7. In accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, respect the rights of local residents based on the principle of Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) when utilizing land and other properties that they customarily own or use.

  8. Do not engage in slave labor or child labor.

  9. Treat all workers fairly and provide them with a healthy and safe working environment.

  10. The Ajinomoto Group Shared Policy on Animal Welfare must be followed.*1

4. Ajinomoto Group's Action Guidelines

The Ajinomoto Group aims to build a sustainable beef supply chain, and will take the following measures for the beef products that we currently purchase. To ensure transparency, we update the public on the measures we are taking.

  1. Details of measures
    ・Ensure traceability*2.
    ・Identify risks and implement solutions by dialoguing directly with suppliers and other stakeholders in the supply chain.
    ・Promote the purchase of certified products from suppliers that meet the Ajinomoto Group Shared Policy.

  2. Target and KPI for the year 2030
    Ensure 100% traceability to the final farm that supplies beef directly to slaughterhouses and meat companies (or to slaughterhouses and meat companies if extremely difficult due to auctions, etc.).

5. Revision

We revise these guidelines on a regular basis.

*1 Group Shared Policy on Animal Welfare

*2 "Ensuring traceability" means understanding the supply chain for the raw materials and being ready to trace back to the location of origin when environmental or human rights issues arise.