Sodexo to Introduce Carbon Labels on Menus Across Over 300 UK Locations
Posted by Emma on 31st Mar 2024
Sodexo is set to introduce carbon labelling on menus at over 300 of its UK and Ireland sites by the end of 2024. The company is responding to the increasing customer demand for dishes with a minimal carbon footprint. A Sodexo-commissioned survey of 2,278 individuals revealed that 20% actively look for carbon labelling when choosing food products and dining places. This number rises to 39% among 18 to 24-year-olds. Despite this interest, 60% of respondents admitted never noticing carbon labels on menus.
The introduction of carbon labelling is not isolated to Sodexo; other hospitality leaders like BM, Benugo, Wahaca, Compass Group, and Amadeus have also adopted this practice. Sodexo, employing about 30,000 staff across various sectors, is committed to ensuring that 70% of its main dishes are recognised as low-carbon by 2023. The company has innovated alongside the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to define a low-carbon meal as one producing 0.9kgCO2 or less. Partnering with Eaternity to calculate the carbon footprint of dishes aids Sodexo in achieving its sustainability goals.
Lisa Huggins, WWF's food service sustainable diets manager, highlighted the significant role food businesses like Sodexo play in promoting healthier, sustainable food choices, emphasising the vast potential for impact.
We value your insights and opinions on this initiative. How do you see carbon labelling influencing your dining choices? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.