Food for Thought: Smart Nutrition for Healthier Communities
Sustainability (by Wilmar Sustainability Engagement)
Wilmar is committed to enhancing consumer well-being through innovation, research and development (R&D) as well as transparent product marketing and labelling, while upholding the highest standards of quality and safety. We aim to provide affordable, nutritious food with added health benefits, guided by evolving nutritional science and changing consumer preferences for healthier lifestyles.
Our diverse product portfolio includes vegetable oils, sugar, flour, rice, noodles, specialty fats, snacks, bakery and dairy products, ready-to-eat meals and central kitchen offerings – available in consumer, medium and bulk packaging.
Foundation of Healthy Families
Yihai Kerry Arawana (YKA), our subsidiary in China, is investing RMB100 million (approximately US$13.8 million) from 2020 to 2030 in scientific research to improve the nutritional value of its food products in addition to expanding its existing range of organic oils, fats, rice and other food products. These initiatives support and are aligned with the Healthy China 2030 goal.
As one of the largest agricultural and food processing companies in China, YKA has developed breast milk fat substitutes that meet the needs of infant growth, by ensuring that the independently developed lipid Oleic-Palmitic-Oleic (OPO) structure in its infant formula is close to that in breast milk.
We also developed a range of wholegrain food, comprising wheat flour, brown rice and soba noodles, with high nutritional values known to regulate blood glucose levels which benefit the elderly. In fact, YKA avoids adding salt, sugar, fat and artificial additives into its edible oils, rice, multigrain and wheat flour products to mitigate the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in product formulation, particularly among the elderly – in accordance with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the Chinese Nutrition Society.
To further support different generations and their dietary needs, YKA introduced nearly 100 healthy recipes for nursing home meal programmes as well as nutritious meal plans catered for senior citizens.
Our subsidiary in Australia and New Zealand, Goodman Fielder, is committed to maintaining a product portfolio where the majority are considered everyday foods as part of a healthy diet. We are aiming for 70% of our intended retail products to display a Health Star Rating and 70% of our everyday portfolio to have a rating of 3.5 and above by the end of 2025. Currently, 50% of our intended retail products display the Health Star Rating.
The Health Star Rating is a front-of-pack labelling system used by the governments in Australia and New Zealand to rate the overall nutritional profile of packaged food from 0.5 to 5 stars. The more stars, the healthier the choice.
Goodman Fielder has a product line of yogurts with Health Star Rating of 4.5 stars after reducing the saturated fat in its content. We also launched a range of gluten-free and vegan cake mixes under the White Wings brand to meet our consumers’ diverse nutritional needs, and invested in testing equipment to optimise the use of gluten in real-time.
By the end of 2026, 70% of the relevant food products manufactured by Goodman Fielder will meet external targets for sodium, sugar and saturated fat set by the Australian Government’s Healthy Food Partnership, and the New Zealand Heart Foundation’s Food Reformulation programme.
Wilmar’s Asia Pacific subsidiaries also produce science-based, nutritious food products aimed at supporting healthier communities – especially among vulnerable groups. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainability and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Curbing Food Insecurity
Goodman Fielder has been donating approximately 150,000 loaves of bread annually since 2006 to food banks in New Zealand – with a total of over two million loaves of bread donated to date.
Goodman Fielder also donates the equivalent of more than a million meals annually through our donations of surplus bread and other products as well as direct donations to specific community partners. In Australia, our staff volunteer with several partners including Bill Crews Foundation, Eat Up Australia and Foodbank. In 2023, our Australian team contributed over 800 volunteer hours to our community partners.
With some 1.2 million children in Australia facing food insecurity and lacking the nutrition they need to fuel their learning, Goodman Fielder has partnered with Eat Up Australia to provide meals to children in need across the country. In 2023, we continued to donate loaves of our Wonder bread to Eat Up Australia, providing over 15,000 lunches to vulnerable children, equivalent to over 48,750kg of bread. We also contributed over 200 staff volunteer hours to prepare the lunches distributed.
Supporting Employees Nutrition and Well-Being
Recognising that good nutrition is fundamental to the health, productivity and well-being of our people, we implement practical, locally relevant initiatives across our global operations to support our employees’ dietary needs and promote healthy living.
Our staff canteens offer balanced and nutritious meals tailored to the regions we operate in. In Vietnam, specifically, fresh milk is provided to night shift factory workers. In South Africa, factory employees have access to a wellness programme focusing on nutrition and meals with fruit since 2023.
In New Zealand, employees receive fruit deliveries twice a week. In Australia, Goodman Fielder introduced a 14-day Gut Health Challenge in 2022. Supported by Australia’s leading nutritional scientists and dieticians, the initiative aims to improve the overall health and vitality of our staff.
Putting People at the Heart of Nutrition
At Wilmar, we believe that smart nutrition is not just about what goes on the plate – it is about empowering healthier lifestyles, reducing inequalities in food access and fostering resilient communities. Whether through innovation in product formulation, partnerships that fight food insecurity or initiatives that support our own employee well-being, our approach is rooted in a deep sense of responsibility and care. As we continue to evolve with science and societal needs, we remain committed to delivering better food for better lives for generations to come.
