Big focus on health drives interest in Origin Green

A soaring consumer focus on health and wellbeing has heightened global retailer interest in Origin Green, the single brand which Bord Bia is using to market the Irish food industry overseas.

A total of 356 food and drink manufacturers — accounting for 85% of Irish exports — have signed up to Origin Green’s charter of auditing energy, emissions, water, biodiversity and other sustainability measurements. Bord Bia rolled out its Origin Green progress report at yesterday’s fourth annual ‘Pathways for Growth’ seminar at the Michael Smurfit School of Business, Dublin.

Bord Bia chief executive, Aidan Cotter, said: “Ireland is unique in having a national sustainability programme. People like Coca Cola, Pepsi, Walmart and Nestle have all welcomed this initiative as a world first that others should follow.