Bittersweet - Sugar cane used in food products is often produced unsustainably
“Bittersweet”, a report published by SUPPLY CHA!NGE partner SOMO on 1st December2015, finds that the rights of workers and communities are often at stake in the production of sugar cane. The study indicates that sustainability issues are widespread. Jobs in the sugar cane sector are often insecure, badly paid, and health and safety regulations are not always respected. In some producing countries, even forced labour and child labour is reported. The production of sugar cane is also linked to harmful environmental impacts and land grabbing practices.
Sugar-using companies seem disinterested
Although 80% of sugar produced worldwide comes from sugar cane, at most 4.5% of global production is sustainably certified. 20% of all sugar consumed in the EU is produced from sugar cane that is imported to meet the EU sugar demand. Sugar using companies, however, hardly ever ask for the origin of sugar according to one of Europe’s largest sugar refiners.
