Ajinomoto Group Soy Procurement Guidelines

Ajinomoto Group
Enacted April 2023
Revised 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

Soybeans are one of the key ingredients that support the Ajinomoto Group's business activities. As the global production of soybeans increases year after year, they are 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 soybean supply chain by working together with our stakeholders to fulfill our social responsibility to stably procure soybeans and provide products. Therefore, based on the Ajinomoto Group Shared Policy, we have established these guidelines, which stipulate matters related to the procurement of soybeans in addition to the matters described in the Guidelines for Group Shared Policy for Suppliers. In "3. Criteria" we set out the ideal sustainable soybeans 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 cover soybean oil and soybean meals, which account for approximately 90% of the soybean-derived raw materials procured by the Ajinomoto Group. The application scope may be expanded in the future. These guidelines also apply to all suppliers that handle the above ingredients 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 standards after considering the risks and international requirements in procuring soybeans and the NDPE principle (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation).

  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. Limit the use of agricultural chemicals to those locally permitted for use and take measures to reduce their use.

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

  5. Maintain and improve soil health.

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

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

  8. 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.

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

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

4. Ajinomoto Group's Action Guidelines

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

  1. Details of measures
    ・Ensure traceability**1.
    ・Promote the purchase of certified products that meet the Ajinomoto Group Shared Policy
    ・Communicate directly with suppliers and other stakeholders and take initiatives to promote certified products.

  2. Target and KPI for the year 2030
    100% of the raw materials purchased will be certified by SSAP*2 or RTRS*3 to meet the Ajinomoto Group Policy or will have traceability to the primary collection point*4

5. Revision

We revise these guidelines on a regular basis.

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

*2 SSAP: U.S. Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol
https://ussec.org/

*3 RTRS: Round Table on Responsible Soy Association
https://responsiblesoy.org/

*4 "Primary pickup location" indicates the location where the first delivery is made from multiple farmers in the production area.