Identification of Sustainable Practices in Brazilian Companies: A Case Study in the Food Sector

Abstract

This research seeks to verify the presence of sustainable practices in the Brazilian food industry and how these practices affect this sector. Through the case study applied in two food companies (Alpha and Beta) it was possible to characterize and quantify the sustainable practices used in these companies. With this, it was observed that Alpha company meets the criteria established by the legislation and the guidelines established in ISO 14000, it opted for no certification, and however, this is a goal to be achieved. Furthermore, Alpha company provides guidelines that prioritize suppliers that have socio-environmental certifications such as those of the ISO certification, but it does not yet have the sustainability reports. Beta company in following the criteria imposed by the legislation has the ISO 14001 certifications. The structuring of sustainability report and its publication has already been a reality in the Beta company through the Global Compact since 2003. The Alpha and Beta companies do not specify what internal and external factors are motivational in the application of sustainable practices, although they claim to be in accordance with the current legislation. Lastly, the companies surveyed, while presenting sustainable practices involving the three pillars, did not strive to respond in detail about each pillar, considering the practices in general. It was found that a lot of information about the priorities of companies was of compliance and could not be answered.