Impact
Health of the people and health of the planet are interconnceted - one element cannot function without the other. Because our eating and drinking choices have an impact on our own health and also the health of our society and the health of our planet, taking care of both, planet and health, is Danone strategic role.
We are well-aware that we cannot dictate everyone eating, drinking, or cooking habits. We can, however, encourage others to make the right nutritional choices and help them understand the consequences of harmful ones.
Our eating and drinking choices impact our own health, the health of entire communities, and the condition of the planet itself. A healthy body requires nutrient rich foods. We believe that, by promoting proper nutrition and nutritional education, we contribute to a healthier future.
We are also able to cater to patients and their families by providing them with the best and most complex solutions when it comes to feeding the ill.
DANONE GOALS 2030
Our social responsibility is a way of doing for us that goes hand in hand with our strategy and transcends single projects.
We are aware that, in order to actually respond to the needs of society and educate people on ecology, it is necessary to join forces with partners and external stakeholders.
At DANONE, this way of looking at the social responsibilities of the business is reflected in the company’s long-term aims.
We have designated 3 areas and 9 goals that we wish to achieve by 2030.
These goals determine our course of action and constitute our contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Through our activities, we seek to initiate positive change in our surroundings in order to influence the health of the people and the planet, thus creating a healthier world.
OUR BRAND MODEL
Impact on the market
OUR BUSINESS MODEL
As an entity emphasising innovation in action, we ensure sustainable growth in order to offer the best nutritional choices possible.
We conform to the highest standards of food quality and safety and utilise resources coming from trusted sources only. We believe that product innovation may ensure unique flavour values and improve the comfort of life and treatment when special nutritional needs must be met. We wish to lead the way in responding to current and future nutritional trends as well, always exerting a positive influence on our surroundings and the planet’s condition.
Impact on the health of people and the planet
OUR BRAND MODEL
We develop our brands, aiming to protect the health of the people and the planet. Our mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.
In order to fulfil Danone’s mission, we have created a unique catalogue of wholesome products whose nutrient profile is subject to constant improvement. We also make use of knowledge of the current nutrition trends and challenges regarding Poles’ health in order to actively promote healthier alternatives, sustainable development and better choices – an effort our partners oftentimes aid us in. The condition of our planet is the beacon of our activities. We procure our ingredients in a sustainable way and use packaging suitable for recycling.
Impact on the people
OUR TRUST MODEL
Danone is a friendly employer. We develop thanks to cooperation and offer the best places to work and develop in.
We invite our employees to take part in creating plans and determining the company’s strategic goals. They are the driving force behind Danone’s companies, and their involvement guarantees the success of our many initiatives.
In order to change the way plants are cultivated, animals are raised, as well as how food is produced, advertised, distributed, sold, and consumed, we enlist the help of our suppliers and business partners as well. We are aware of the importance of knowledge and experience exchange.
First 1000 days for health
The first 1000 days of a child’s life, i.e. from conception through its first years, are the period of the body’s most intense growth and development.
This is when the child’s brain develops, the immune system takes shape, the digestive system matures, the metabolism forms, and nutritional habits appear.
By taking care of proper nutrition – a diet rich in nutrient rich products in this period of intense growth and development – we influence the child’s long-term health, both now and in the future.
We regularly share knowledge pertaining to the role of proper nutrition in the first 1000 days of a child’s life. We impart information and tips regarding the principles of healthy nutrition and food choices to the parents of the youngest children, and indicate the mistakes to avoid in order to ensure the children’s health and balanced growth. The Nutricia Foundation's “First 1000 days for health” programme is being implemented in cooperation with our partners, under the honorary patronage of the Polish Children’s Ombudsman.
On nature’s side
Water is one of the natural resources necessary for the proper functioning of humans. In order to make sure that everyone has access to it in the future, we are protecting its reserves now.
Not enough people realise that trees and plants play a vital role in maintaining and purifying water, and facilitating its accumulation in the ground. Tree concentrations and plants keep the rivers ecologically balanced and ensure biological flow, which in turn ensures the survival of the entire ecosystem. Owing to this balance, undisturbed procurement of water meant for drinking is possible. Thus, in order to enable future generations to make use of natural resources, these resources and the planet’s condition must be taken care of today.
Within the scope of the “On nature’s side” programme, we work to support nature and get Poles involved in the shared care for the natural environment. Thus far, along with our partners, we have planted over 8 million trees, renewed 1,150 km of mountain trails, and given our support to 133 local ecology initiatives.
Medical Nutrition campaign – your nutritional reinforcements in battling the disease
Medical nutrition should constitute an integral element of care for the chronically ill. The statistics show the need to educate people and build awareness of the role of nutritional support in the treatment process1!
The informational campaign “Medical Nutrition campaign – your nutritional reinforcements in battling the disease”, launched by Nutricia in 2016, aims to raise awareness of medical nutrition as part of health treatment. The first edition was dedicated to cancer patients, with the second focused on people suffering from neurological diseases. In the second half of 2018, the campaign was expanded to activities pertaining to feeding patients via special access to the digestive tract (directly to the stomach or the bowel), with the consideration of various diseases in whose treatment it is used. As part of this year's edition, we have created the Charter of Guardian's Rights. This is the first card in Poland containing a condensed set of the most important rights for carers of sick people, developed by an expert of the Institute of Patient Rights and Health Education prof. Associate. dr hab. Dorota Karkowska, legal advisor. The campaign is supported by many scholarly societies and patient organisations.
1www.onkologia.org.pl/nowotwory-zlosliwe-ogolem-2
Mum, dad, I prefer water!
Water should be 60 to 80%1of the total amount of the liquids drunk daily by children. Unfortunately, Polish children do not drink enough of it, often preferring sweetened drinks and juices.
The problem lies not only in the quality of the liquids drunk by children, but in the amount as well: 50% of Polish children and adolescents drink less than they should. Water is only one fifth of the liquids they drink every day. The rest, i.e. about half a litre, is made up of drinks containing sugar2.
We promote the right nutritional choices at every stage of life. In response to the problem of inadequate water consumption among children, in 2009, we launched an educational programme for kindergartens. Ever since the first edition, The National Food And Nutrition Institute and The Institute of Mother and Child (IMC) have been our content partners. The aim of the Programme is to encourage the youngest among us to drink water, and to educate them on its importance to life.
1 H. Woś et al., Expert Group’s Stance on the recommendations regarding the consumption of water and other beverages by babies, children, and adolescents; medical standards for paediatrics 2011 T. 8; 27–35.
2 I. Guelinckx, 2015, Intake of water and beverages of children and adolescents in 13 countries, European Journal of Nutrition, Vol 54/2
What youth used to
In 2013, we concluded that, due to young physicians’ low awareness of the importance of nutrition in the first years of life, there was a need for additional workshops on the topic.
The aim of the “What Youth Used to” programme is to promote the most recent knowledge in the field of infant and child nutrition among young paediatricians and medicine students.
Within the scope of the programme, we hold workshops on nutrition and distribute a newsletter regarding, among other things, wholesome nutrition and the diet of the youngest ones with the Paediatrics Clinic of the Medical University of Warsaw and Healthy Generations Association (Stowarzyszenie Zdrowe Pokolenia) as our partners.
Flowery Meadows
Water is an immensely precious resource, vital to the functioning of humans. The water supply at Poland’s disposal is, however, only a third of the European average1!
The water resources formed on Polish soil amount to a mere 13% of our supply, and Poland’s real water resources in the dry period amount to but 250 m3 per person. This is why Żywiec Zdrój initiated the “Flowery Meadows” programme back in 2011. The aim of the initiative is that of protecting the natural habitats and water reservoirs in the selected communities of the Żywiec Beskids. We conduct our activities in the selected areas of the Żywiec poviat, especially in the mountainous areas that are natural "water towers” for the local populace.
1 Department of Hydrology and Water Management, Water Resources, University of Łódź
Żywiec Zdrój Commitment
We are convinced that plastic should never find its way into natural environments; this is why we are going to endeavour towards the improvement of the PET bottle collection and recycling system in Poland.
- Żywiec Zdrój, along with its partners, will act to achieve a level of PET bottle recycling in Poland past the 90% mark by 2025.
- Żywiec Zdrój commits itself to ensuring that the amount of plastic equivalent to what it introduces to the market in 2020 will be collected and recycled.
- Żywiec Zdrój supports the idea of a circular economy and will gradually increase the use of recycled plastic in its bottles, at the same time working on alternative solutions for plastic packaging.
DANeducation
In DANONE we encourage making the right dietary choices as early as in childhood. Therefore, since 2013 we have been inviting children and teenagers from Silesian schools to Danone factory in Bieruń to show them how to follow proper diet and take care of the natural environment.
DANeducation is Danone’s free educational program, which includes visiting the factory. During a 1.5 hour workshop the participants learn and consolidate the rules of proper nutrition, find out how yoghurt is made and where milk comes from, as well as how to take care of the natural environment by proper segregation. Also, they find out how the factory works and they get to know people manufacturing Danone products. Over 4,000 students and teachers visit the factory every year.
HOPE Volunteers
Our employees are people full of passion who want to change the world for the better with their actions. They go anywhere help and work of a well-integrated team is needed. DANONE supports them thanks to special volunteer project fund.
At Nutricia employees’ initiative in 2010, an employee volunteer program HOPE (Humanism, Openness, Proximity, Enthusiasm) was set up, in which all DANONE companies take part today. Twice a year – in spring and before Christmas – we organize an internal grant competition where employees’ social projects may be submitted and compete for funding. Our goal is to support the local community, promote proper dietary habits and protect the environment, as well as bring joy where it is needed the most. “HOPE Volunteers” program enables employees to bring joy and gives them an opportunity to carry out non-business projects.