Givaudan has unveiled a new line of Rainforest Alliance Certified vanilla extracts for the European market, further advancing its commitment to sustainable sourcing and environmental stewardship.
The certification, part of the company’s Sourcing4Good programme, marks a significant step in aligning consumer preferences with responsible supply chain practices.
“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.”
The Rainforest Alliance certification is widely recognized as a benchmark for sustainable agriculture. It supports farming communities by promoting practices that preserve biodiversity, enhance farmer livelihoods, protect workers’ rights, and build resilience to climate change. Through SOMAVA, a joint venture formed in 2014 with Henri Fraise Fils et Cie, Givaudan sources certified vanilla directly from farmers in Madagascar. The traceable beans are processed at the company’s European extraction facility in the Netherlands, ensuring transparency from origin to end product.
The certification complements Givaudan’s broader efforts in Madagascar, where the company, through its foundation and local partners, has taken a holistic approach to community development and environmental preservation. To date, the Givaudan Foundation has contributed to the construction or renovation of 30 schools, benefiting more than 4,500 children. It has also improved access to healthcare for over 1,000 patients annually and brought clean water to more than 10,000 villagers.
Environmental initiatives are also central to the company’s work in the region. The foundation has facilitated the distribution of 4,000 energy-efficient cooking stoves to vanilla-farming households and supported environmental education in 10 schools. Additionally, it helped establish energy-efficient institutional kitchens in two schools, reinforcing a sustainable approach to food preparation in community settings.
Vanilla remains a signature ingredient for Givaudan, which brings more than a century of expertise in extract development, flavour creation, and regulatory compliance to its product portfolio. The company offers a wide array of vanilla extracts and flavourings, accommodating a range of certification standards including Organic Certified (Ecocert) and Rainforest Alliance. With tailor-made solutions and deep flavourist collaboration, Givaudan enables its clients to co-create distinctive food experiences that meet the evolving expectations of today’s consumers—balancing taste, transparency, and trust.
Find out more at: http://www.givaudan.com/