The Impact Summit 2024

Hendrik Born, General Manager at Danone had a sense of openness and urgency to work through an ecosystem of partners. He expressed his pride and appreciation when he told the audience that “achieving our goals can only be made possible through a collaboration to co-create solutions. We already have well established affiliates and have achieved our goal of providing healthier and tasty food options because we have worked with dietitians and researchers. We are proud to have the one of the best research centres in the world based in Paris, housing unique ferments that we use in making our yoghurts”.

Dr Stephan Peters from the Dutch Dairy Association supported the health benefits of fermented food and in particular yoghurt and the good gut bacteria it contains.  His data was convincing that this dairy matrix has added benefits in protecting against colorectal, cardiovascular, and diabetic diseases, while increasing bone health. This Summit follows his presentation made in Durban to 400 dietitians at the Nutrition Congress advocating for the daily consumption of yoghurt.

Ms Leanne Kiezer, Registered Dietitian and Head of Corporate Affairs for Danone agreed that Danone had a great food base to work.  “Every care is taken to make sure that our yoghurt is carefully crafted to add nutrients that are lacking in South Africans’ diets, that the total sugar content of our children’s products is controlled to less than 10 grams per 100g, and that a nutrient profiling tool is used to limit nutrients of concern.” 

Ms. Mamogala Musekene, Deputy Director General at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, and Andy du Plessis, Managing Director at Food Forward South Africa, weighed in on their role as partners to reduce food waste. Provided the cold chain is maintained, yoghurt is safe for consumption even after its best before date, and it should not be unnecessarily wasted. Education is key to prevent food waste. Ms. Nosiseko Biko, Director of Cycles & Procurement at Danone said, “We have been reducing waste throughout the value chain from farmer, logistics and to retailers. We have also donated 4.5 million servings dairy foods already this year to feed vulnerable communities. However, South Africa still has a way to go to further reduce food waste,” and she urged people to play their part.

This sentiment to provide support to others was sealed by ‘Lift as You Rise’ author Bonang Mohale. He tugged at the audience’s conscience to be the catalyst to improve the quality of life and to create holding spaces where people can reclaim their self-worth. He has always been a proponent for the work industries do in serving their communities.

The Summit concluded with the big news of the day: that Danone is in progress to be recognised by the independent and credible BLab to be B-Corp certified. The 500-hour preparation for the audit measured the business’s social and environmental impact. “The roadmap underpinning the Danone Impact Journey is working. The leaders in our business are keeping us accountable to be a force for good”, concluded Gisela Kruger, Communications Manager at Danone.