A force for good
At Danone we believe business should deliver both economic and social benefit. And purpose is embedded in Danone, in our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible. So, being a B Corp not only aligns with our heritage, but also our values as a business.
But what is a B Corp?
B Corps (B Corporations) are mission-driven businesses who operate as a force for good. They do business in ways that are not only good for their shareholders, but good for their employees, customers, communities, suppliers and the environment.
Why did we want to become a B Corp?
B Corp is perfectly in line with Danone’s legacy and values. Really, we were an aspiring B Corp before B Corp existed!
Purpose is deeply embedded in Danone globally, in our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible. The origins of our company go back over 100 years, when our founder Isaac Carasso began selling yogurts with ferments in pharmacies in Spain to help address child malnutrition. Since then, it’s always been embedded in Danone that we need to go further with our business so we can help communities thrive. The B Corp certification is a great endorsement of this ethos.
Danone was the first top 10 branded food and healthcare manufacturer in the UK & Ireland to certify as a B Corp. We started our unique journey to certification in 2017 and are now fully certified across our UK & Ireland business. We are proud to be part of a growing global community set up to balance purpose and profit, helping to create a better world while thriving as businesses.
Is B Corp just another badge for companies?
The B Corp Certification is a real mark of trust – but as we know as B Corps, it’s the actions and values that sit behind that certification that really make us stand out.
To become a B Corp, companies have to meet rigorous criteria to showcase how they make impact across the five key B Corp pillars: governance, workers, community, the environment and customers. It’s not enough just to say you’re doing it, you have to show you’re doing it. We are proud of the progress we have made since 2017, from our work on creating a diverse workforce to our carbon reduction roadmap, our innovations in packaging and our work to connect with local communities.
You can read some of the ways we’re showing up as a B Corp in our 2023 B Corp Impact Report.
Doing business in the best possible way
There has never been a more critical time to galvanise greater action from responsible businesses. More than ever, people want to buy from, work for, invest in and partner with businesses they trust to make a positive impact.
One Planet. One Health.
At Danone UK & Ireland, we believe the health of the people and the planet are interconnected. Health is what links all the various parts of our business together – from healthy yogurts and infant nutrition, through to medical nutrition. As a B Corp we strive to make a real difference in this area. From our own commitments around health, to our advocacy around malnutrition and the important work of our Nutricia brand, we’re committed to reaching more communities and using our business as a force for good.
Read more about our commitment to health here: Why health should be a hallmark of future B Corps - Raconteur
Watch our video to find our more about the five pillars of B Corp Accreditation
Our positive impact worldwide
B Corp strengthens and complements Danone’s ‘One Planet One Health’ vision, highlighting our belief that the health of people and planet are interconnected. It is also an expression of our long-time commitment to sustainable business and to Danone’s dual project of economic success and social progress.
At the end of 2023, 82.5% of Danone's global sales are now covered by B Corp certification, marking significant progress towards Danone's ambition to become on the first certified multinationals.
Find out more about Danone's B Corp journey.