Givaudan introduces Rainforest Alliance Certified vanilla extracts for the European market

For some of its vanilla extracts sold in Europe, Givaudan has announced a new Rainforest Alliance certification.

The certification demonstrates the company’s long-time dedication to environmental preservation and community assistance, which is exemplified by its Sourcing4Good initiative.

“This certification not only meets the growing demands of environmentally conscious consumers but also fosters a sustainable future for communities and ecosystems alike,” said Gwen Kastler, regional product manager vanilla. “Givaudan’s Rainforest Alliance certified vanilla products empower our customers to proudly showcase the frog seal on their packaging, helping consumers to make more conscientious purchasing decisions.”

Rainforest Alliance offers a widely recognised certification programme for sustainable agricultural practices that supports farmers in implementing practices that protect the environment, improve their livelihoods, promote the human rights of farm workers, and help them mitigate and adapt to climate change.

SOMAVA, a joint venture between Givaudan and Henri Fraise Fils et Cie begun in 2014, works directly with farmers in Rainforest Alliance Certified villages. The certification enables full traceability for a selection of vanilla beans cultivated in Madagascar for use in one of the company’s European extraction facilities, located in the Netherlands.

The recent certification represents one of Givaudan’s many initiatives to support local livelihoods and biodiversity in Madagascar. With the help of its implementing partners, the Givaudan Foundation has built or renovated 30 schools, providing a positive learning environment for more than 4,500 children. It has also provided access to two healthcare centres serving over 1,000 patients annually, and facilitated access to clean water for over 10,000 villagers. As part of the company’s efforts to improve environmental sustainability, the Givaudan Foundation supported the provision of 4,000 energy-efficient cooking stoves for vanilla farmer households, environmental education in 10 schools, and the establishment of energy-efficient institutional kitchens in two schools.

With over 100 years of experience in extracts, flavour creation and market regulation, vanilla is a cornerstone of the Givaudan portfolio. The company offers an extensive range of vanilla extracts and flavourings, covering a variety of declarations and certification standards, such as Rainforest Alliance and Organic Certified (Ecocert), along with tailor-made vanilla solutions. With this diverse portfolio, customers can partner with Givaudan flavourists to co-create exceptional food experiences that not only delight their consumers, but also foster lasting trust.