Nisshin Seifun Group

CSR Priorities (materiality)

Identifying our CSR priorities

We have identified CSR priorities for the Nisshin Seifun Group with the aim of focusing our initiatives toward the social issues that most concern our stakeholders. The CSR priorities will be reviewed regularly based on changes in the social environment.

Adopted March 26, 2019

Process for identifying CSR priorities

We identified approximately 60 issues with the cooperation of experts, using the following procedures.

  • Examine issues based on international norms and surveys of SRI evaluation organizations.

    We compiled a list of candidate issues, with reference to the GRI standards, ISO26000, review items used by SRI evaluation organization, case studies from other companies, and other information.

  • Organize the issues by analyzing value chains.

    We identified issues in the value chains for key businesses by ascertaining the status of processes, procured goods, and workers through interviews with business divisions and factory visits.

  • Assess stakeholder interest.

    We rated stakeholder interest on three levels (high, medium, low) based on assessments by SRI evaluation organizations, questions from NGOs, and other information.

  • Assess the potential impact on our business.

    Using the same methodology as in Item 3, we rated issues on three levels according to their impact on cyclical growth* under our long-term vision and arranged them on a matrix chart.

    • * Cyclical growth: The achievement of sustainable growth through a cycle in which social issues are approached as business opportunities, and the value created by business contributes to society

CSR priorities for the Nisshin Seifun Group

We sorted the approximately 60 issues in the matrix chart into five key areas based on the direction of our future initiatives. These were then summarized into the Nisshin Group CSR priorities listed below.

Five CSR priorities

Provide safe and healthy food and
responsible consumer communication

  • SDGs3
Priority themes Approaches and targets
Ensuring food safety Implement quality assurance from the viewpoint of consumers and continually strengthen the quality assurance system
  • Acquire and maintain certification for food safety management systems
Responsible consumer
communication		 Provide fair and responsible consumer communication
  • Conduct advertising activities that consider ethics, human rights, and the environment
  • Promote measures to increase consumer engagement
Contribution to healthy diets Research and develop health functions of food ingredients, primarily focused on wheat, such as its effects to prevent metabolic syndrome and to promote brain functions and anti-aging

Material Issues

Enable secure and sustainable raw material procurement

  • SDGs14, SDGs15
Priority themes Approaches and targets
Ensuring stable wheat procurement Establish sustainable procurement of wheat, our primary raw material
  • Examine and respond to the climate change risk to wheat resources
Sustainable raw material procurement Promote responsible procurement activities based on fair and ethical transactions
  • Enforce the Responsible Procurement Policy
  • Strengthen supply chain management

Material Issues

Efficiently handle product and packaging waste

  • SDGs12
Priority themes Approaches and targets
Reducing food waste Reduce food waste and contribute to realizing sustainable food systems
  • Reduce food waste, from the procurement of raw materials to the delivery of products to customers, by 50% or more compared with the fiscal 2017 level by 2030*1
  • Work with our partners to reduce food waste at all supply chain stages
Reducing packaging waste Promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) + renewables with our partners at all supply chain stages
  • Reduce the amount of fossil fuel-derived plastics used by at least 25% compared with the fiscal 2020 level by 2030*2
  • Promote plastic recycling, such as by using environmentally friendly package designs
  • Increase the use of sustainable packaging materials, such as biomass plastics,
    recycled plastics, recycled paper, and FSC-certified paper
  • *1 At Group companies in Japan. Initio Foods Inc., Joyous Foods Co., Ltd., and Tokatsu Foods Co., Ltd., compared to fiscal 2020
  • *2 Group companies in Japan

Material Issues

Address climate change and
water resource issues

  • SDGs6, SDGs13
Priority themes Approaches and targets
Climate change adaptation and mitigation Introduce energy-saving technology and promote the use of renewable energy, and contribute to realizing a decarbonized society
  • Reduce CO2 emissions from Group-owned facilities to net zero by 2050
  • Reduce CO2 emissions from Group-owned facilities by 50% compared with the fiscal 2014 level by 2030
  • Reduce CO2 emissions across our supply chains
Water resource conservation Work with our partners to ensure effective utilization of water at all stages of our supply chain
  • Reduce the amount of water used in plants per unit of production by 30% compared with the fiscal 2022 level by fiscal 2040*3
  • *3 All Group companies in Japan and overseas

Material Issues

Provide working environments that are healthy and fulfilling

  • SDGs5, SDGs8
Priority themes Approaches and targets
Respect for diversity Respect humanity and diversity, and create workplaces that consider work-life balance
  • Reach target for women to represent at least 15% of management positions at Nisshin Seifun Group Inc. in fiscal 2023
Cultivation of human resources Clutivate human resources so each person can grow and fulfill their potential
  • Cultivate next-generation business managers
  • Develop the skills of technical personnel in specialized fields
  • Cultivate global human resources
Employee working environments and health
  • Continuously strengthen occupational health and safety management activities (zero occupational accidents)
  • Promote workstyle reform
  • Promote health management in the three pillars of the work environment, personal physical care, and mental healthcare

Material Issues

Social Responsibility