DUBLIN, Ohio – The Wendy’s Company released its Supplier Code of Conduct, which details the company’s current thinking on such issues as food safety, animal welfare and labor practices and human rights.
Wendy’s developed the code with input from its suppliers, and it will go into force in 2016. Initially, the code will apply to US suppliers managed by Quality Supply Chain Co-op Inc. (QSCC), Wendy’s independent purchasing co-op. Quality Supply Chain represents 90 percent of the brand’s global purchasing of food, packaging, equipment and distribution. The code may expand to include other suppliers in professional services and international operations, the company said.
“Our pledge to continuous improvement of supply chain practices has guided our supplier relationships to date,” Liliana Esposito, chief communications officer, said in a statement. “These issues have become even more important as consumers seek to understand the practices of the brands they support.
“We are proud of the culture and values that have always guided our brand,” she added. “We’re pleased to bring greater public awareness to our best practices and standards and to honor our founder with the introduction of this code.”
The code highlights the company’s work in the areas of food safety and animal welfare, for example. The company set a goal to eliminate the use of gestation stalls in its supply chain by 2022. The company stressed the code of conduct is in addition to, and not in lieu of the company’s supplier agreements or other policies such as mandatory participation in Wendy’s animal welfare program.
“In the event of a conflict between the Code and an agreement between Wendy’s or QSCC and the supplier, the agreement between Wendy’s or QSCC and the supplier will govern and control,” according to the code of conduct. “The provisions of the Code are intended only to confirm the basic requirements that are expected of suppliers to the system.
“This Code shall in no way be construed as conferring, or in any way granting, rights of any kind to any third party.”
