Arla Foods Ingredients has published an independent CSR report detailing its contribution to a new ethical initiative seeking to make nutritious food solutions available to low-income families in Ethiopia.

The GAIN Nordic Partnership is driven by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in co-operation with businesses from across the food supply chain.

The reports says: “Joint venture initiatives established through GAIN are not about food aid. The key to their enduring success is that they are economically sustainable for all involved. Our need for the latest knowledge and technologies is insatiable if we are to identify sustainable new ways to feed the growing global population and document the effects of whey nutrients.”

In the report, CEO Henrik Andersen praises Arla Foods Ingredients’ efforts in transitioning whey protein from a low-cost by-product of cheese-making to a high value ingredient. He says, “The rise of whey must be one of the dairy industry’s all time greatest sustainability stories. Today, the former waste product is a sought-after raw material.”

The report outlines how Arla Foods Ingredients has worked towards putting the lactose found in the by-product of protein concentration- whey permeate – to good use.

Henrik Andersen says, “Many of the initiatives we outline in our new CSR report have their roots in our ‘Quality starts here’ platform – a fundamental driver of our corporate strategy. Our commitment is to use this programme to unfold the full potential of whey and create a successful and sustainable business model for the long-term. As a business, our primary mission will always be to meet the needs of our customers, but we also recognise the impact we have on the wider world and the communities where we operate. Our first independent CSR report embodies this commitment and outlines the steps we have taken – and will be taking in the future – to fulfill it.”