Modern Slavery Statement

BESTFOODS LIMITED: MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 2021 ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 54 OF THE MODERN SLAVERY ACT 2015

OUR BUSINESS, STRUCTURE AND SUPPLY CHAINS

BestFoods Limited was founded in 2003 and is a privately-owned organisation with 2 offices in the UK with a sister company BestFoods Polska based in Gdynia Poland. Since BestFoods was founded, we have always sought to ‘do the right thing’ and conduct our business according to sound ethical principles. As such we hold a zero-tolerance policy towards modern Slavery and human trafficking.

BestFoods Ltd employs around 15 people in the UK and BestFoods Polska employs 45 people in Poland.

We develop, source and supply a wide range of food stuffs into the UK retail, Foodservice and B2B markets. We source products from Europe, China and South America from supply partners who have been rigorously audited to ensure that they are operating in an ethical and responsible manner.

All products supplied by BestFoods are from approved suppliers at approved sites. All our manufacturing suppliers must be certified to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety; they are regularly audited by our technical team against this standard and require AA+, A+ or Grade B+.

OUR POLICIES

Below are the lists of policies BestFoods have adopted to help identify any potential modern slavery risks as well as the steps taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking.

BestFoods will make provisions relating to offences under the Modern Slavery Act in its standard terms and conditions of business and commercial contracts, where appropriate. This work will be carried out over the next 12 months to be implemented throughout our supply chain.

  • Responsible Sourcing Policy
  • Environmental Policy
  • Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
  • Health and Safety Policy
  • Employee Code of Conduct
  • Supplier Code of Conduct

DUE DILIGENCE PROCESSES

When we introduce new suppliers, as part of the supplier approval process we will carry out a risk assessment based on geographical risks and once that has been completed, we will then audit them to ensure that they operate in an ethical and responsible manner. We also undertake frequent reviews of our current suppliers to ensure that they are maintaining the standards which we expect from our supply base.

The hauliers which we use are from an approved haulier list whom we monitor on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are following the correct procedures to reduce the risk of any human trafficking. All hauliers will be audited to ensure that they are also operating in an ethical and responsible manner, as part of this we will check the work agencies that they use and will sporadically ask them to provide proof that the drivers are working within EU and UK work and time directives.

If any supplier or haulier doesn’t meet the standards expected of them, we will work in a constructive manner to resolve any non-conformances identified, within a pre agreed time frame.

We also utilise the services of SEDEX including using them for audits when required. Several of our suppliers are SEDEX approved, (this list is available on request).

COMMUNICATION & TRAINING

BestFoods will communicate our policy and ensure that employees understand what Human Trafficking and Modern slavery is as well as the warning signs are for Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.  Management will focus on educating the Procurement function in particular, where there is greater risk.  All staff are actively encouraged to report any signs of slavery or human trafficking to their line managers.

BESTFOODS IN THE FUTURE

BestFoods Ltd and BestFoods Polska will continue to work with suppliers to improve all aspects of the supply chain and we will remain resolute in our zero-tolerance policy to slavery and human trafficking. We will remain committed to working with third parties including BRC and SEDEX to further support our supplier development.

This statement is made pursuant to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. It was approved by the Board of Directors on 31st March 2021.