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Dunkin’ Brands Group, the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced its commitment to source only 100 percent sustainable palm oil for its U.S. locations by 2016. Less than a day after Dunkin’s announcement, Krispy Kreme also committed to source 100 percent responsibly produced palm oil.
Dunkin’ Brands will work with its suppliers and its franchisee-owned purchasing cooperatives to source palm oil that's 100 percent fully traceable to the mill by the end of 2015, and to the plantation by the end of 2016 for its Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. restaurants. By March 1, 2015, Dunkin’ Brands will develop and publish a phased implementation plan.
Dunkin’ Brands will require suppliers to adhere to certain standards, including:
Forest Heroes activists pressured Dunkin’ Donuts to commit to sourcing sustainable palm oil. A campaign that called on Dunkin’ to 'be a Forest Hero' culminated in activists attending the company’s shareholders meeting in Quincy, Massachusetts in May. While Forest Heroes is happy with Dunkin’s announcement, the nonprofit expressed concern that the commitment only extends to the U.S. and not beyond. The company will not determine the international timeline until March 2015 after it has mapped its international supply chain. Forest Heroes states that it will be “urging Dunkin’ to review its international supply chain as quickly as possible and implement an equally strong commitment abroad.”
Image credit: Krispy Kreme
Gina-Marie is a freelance writer and journalist armed with a degree in journalism, and a passion for social justice, including the environment and sustainability. She writes for various websites, and has made the 75+ Environmentalists to Follow list by Mashable.com.