La Doria Group obtains Social Footprint certification for its tomato supply chain
Now the only Italian company in the canning industry. The certifying body awarded the highest level AAA.
The certification obtained by La Doria recognizes the social footprint of its products and assures consumers of the traceability, sustainability and responsibility-including respect for the rights of all workers-of the entire production chain of the tomato product line.
Angri (SA), Dec. 1, 2022 – La Doria, leading Group in the production of tomato derivatives, sauces, legumes and fruit juices under the Large-Scale Retailer brand, controlled by the Investindustrial fund and participated in by some members of the Ferraioli family, has obtained for its tomato product line, the Social Footprint certification. Bureau Veritas, a leading global certifying organization, awarded La Doria’ tomato line the AAA level.
The Social Footprint represents, as reported on the certifying organization’s website ( https://www.bureauveritas.it/needs/social-footprint ), a measurement of a product’s social footprint through analysis of the organization, people and supply chain. Social Footprint concerns the social assessment of the Supply Chain underlying products and services, including the ethical and social conditions of the different links in the production chain. The aim is to provide consumers with transparency regarding the supply chain from which a product originates, the location of suppliers and actors involved in the final product realization process, and related information.
La Doria has obtained AAA certification because it guarantees respect for the rights of those who work within it and a constant monitoring activity aimed at stimulating the improvement of conditions and respect for the rights of those who work in its supply chain: in the tomato fields, packaging, ingredients and transportation companies. Absence of illegal labor practices, respect for proper working conditions, absence of racial and gender discrimination, and fair wages are just some of the aspects that La Doria guarantees and commits to support.
Specifically, to achieve the Social Footprint, La Doria mapped all its suppliers of fresh tomatoes, ingredient suppliers, all companies involved in the transportation of raw materials, down to packaging companies. Through a set of indicators, it then calculated its Social Footprint focusing on aspects related to worker protection and engaging in monitoring of these indicators, including of its partners because protecting the rights of those who work for and with the Company is a priority.
Once certification has been obtained, the company can communicate the “social footprint” of one of its products to the market, either by putting an information label on it or through a specific information section on the website.
The audits that led to the awarding of this very important certification saw the monitoring of the entire La Doria tomato supply chain represented by almost 4500 workers (including direct and seasonal employees engaged in fresh tomato processing and field activities, workers in logistics and packaging), 350 farms distributed in 5 regions (Puglia 42%, Campania 30%, Basilicata 12%, Lazio 13%, Molise 3%), 20 producer associations and 40 companies divided between transport, ingredients and packaging. A supply chain that processes between 250,000 and 300,000 tons of fresh tomatoes (32% long tomatoes, 66% round tomatoes and 2% cherry tomatoes) from about 3,000 hectares of Italian land.
“We are extremely proud to have achieved this additional recognition, which adds to the constant commitment and countless activities we carry out for the sustainable and responsible management of our tomato supply chain.  Our large national and international retail chains are increasingly focused on these topics, and there is a growing global consumer demand for safe, high-quality food that respects people’s rights at the same time. We are therefore very pleased to be able to meet these expectations”-said La Doria Group CEO Antonio Ferraioli.
The Social Footprint is just the latest of the activities that La Doria Group has put in place over the years to certify the production of its tomatoes, thus providing consumers with a true identity card of its red line and of all the stages that precede the arrival of its products on the tables of consumers around the world.
Today, La Doria, can affirm and communicate to its customers that its Tomato line is 100% traceable, 100% sustainable and from today also 100% responsible, that is, respectful of the rights of those who work along the entire supply chain of its tomatoes.
La Doria Spa
La Doria Spa, a company whose share capital is indirectly held 65 percent by investment companies of the Investindustrial VII L.P fund and by some members of the Ferraioli family for the remaining 35 percent, is Europe’s leading producer of preserved legumes, peeled tomatoes and tomato pulp in the retail channel and among Italy’s leading producers of fruit juices and beverages. The Company is also Europe’s leading producer of private label ready-made sauces. Sales 2021 were 866 million euros, 97 percent of which were generated through the private labels segment (distributor chain brands) with leading domestic and international retailers.
For more information:
La Doria Press Office
Patrizia Lepere, Corporate Affairs & Communications Manager
Tel +39 081 5166260 – Mob 340/9673931 patrizia.lepere@gruppoladoria.it
Ad Hoc Communication Advisors
Giorgio Zambeletti – Email: giorgio.zambeletti@ahca.it
Ivan Barbieri – Mob: 3351415581 – e-mail: ivan.barbieri@ahca.it
Sara Mastrorocco – Mob: 3351415590 – e-mail: sara.mastrorocco@ahca.it
Beatrice Cuccirelli – Mob: 3351415587 – e-mail: beatrice.cuccirelli@ahca.it
