This is just a continuation of our journey. We’ve always been a leader in developing industrywide practices, like inventing aquaculture of carrageenan seaweed in the Philippines nearly 50 years ago. It’s what we do. It’s in our DNA.
BOSTON (PRWEB) June 08, 2018
As one of the world’s largest buyers of seaweed, DuPont Nutrition & Health (DuPont N&H) works to ensure its products are produced in ways that protect the ecosystems and communities in which the business operates. To mark World Oceans Day, DuPont N&H today announced a unique new seaweed program that will guide seaweed farmers and harvesters toward the adoption of more sustainable practices. Developed in collaboration with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, the program is the first sustainable seaweed program specifically for the hydrocolloid industry.
“Seaweed is one of the principal raw materials in the hydrocolloid industry, and our goal is to see these sustainable management practices implemented worldwide,” said Erick Ask seaweed development manager, DuPont Nutrition & Health. “Some would call this goal ambitious, but we want to help educate all seaweed farmers and harvesters to develop a working knowledge of sustainable practices and enhance their ability to be good stewards of their farms and seaweed beds, upon which they depend for their livelihoods and their family’s future.”
Designed to assure the environmental and social criteria of sustainability and bring transparency throughout the complex supply chain, the standards will help preserve the environment as well as conditions for the seaweed producers. In collaboration with Anderson Cabot Center scientists, DuPont N&H developed the standards to strive to ensure the most environmentally friendly practices are followed and seaweed producers in every corner of the world receive fair treatment and work safely.
The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium was the ideal partner to develop the program. The organization previously worked with seafood processing and retailing companies to create the Fisheries and Aquaculture Solutions Program, which helps to develop sustainable practices around seafood sourcing.
Chief Scientist and Vice President of the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life John Mandelman, Ph.D., said: “Improving the environmental performance of seaweed has cascading benefits for coastal communities and habitats as well as for species far beyond seaweed. In taking a science-based approach to both create and continually improve these guidelines, we hope to make a difference in sustainability across the entire seaweed extract market.”
DuPont N&H is implementing the Sustainable Seaweed Program first in Norway and Iceland, eventually expanding the program to other regions where seaweeds are sourced. Additionally, employees from DuPont N&H seaweed processing plants and blending facilities are collecting trash and other debris along shorelines on four continents in recognition of World Oceans Day. The cleanup efforts represent a small contribution to the much larger need for corporations around the world to join in the preservation and protection of the ocean, one of earth’s most valuable resources.
“This is just a continuation of our journey,” Ask said. “We’ve always been a leader in developing industrywide practices, from inventing aquaculture of carrageenan seaweed in the Philippines nearly 50 years ago to the implementation of biology-based management of alginate seaweed in Norway over 50 years ago. It’s what we do. It’s in our DNA.”
World Oceans Day is an annual observation that takes place around the world on June 8 to honor, help protect and conserve the world’s oceans.
For more information about DuPont Nutrition & Health’s sustainability practices, visit http://www.danisco.com/sustainability/.
About The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium
The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium is a groundbreaking initiative designed to expand the Aquarium’s cutting-edge applied marine research and data-driven conservation solutions. Through the work of the Anderson Cabot Center, our researchers offer practical solutions to mitigate human impacts on our oceans. We promote these science-based solutions in New England and beyond, building on the Aquarium’s nearly 50-year legacy of protecting our blue planet and advocating for vital and vibrant oceans. For more information, visit http://www.andersoncabotcenterforoceanlife.org/.
About DuPont Nutrition & Health
DuPont Nutrition & Health, a DowDuPont Specialty Products Division business, combines in-depth knowledge of food and nutrition with current research and expert science to deliver unmatched value to the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. We are innovative solvers, drawing on deep consumer insights and a broad product portfolio to help our customers turn challenges into high-value business opportunities. More information is available at http://www.food.dupont.com.
About DowDuPont Specialty Products Division
DowDuPont Specialty Products, a division of DowDuPont (NYSE: DWDP), is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, building and construction, health and wellness, food and worker safety. DowDuPont intends to separate the Specialty Products Division into an independent, publicly traded company. More information can be found at http://www.dow-dupont.com.
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