While Mitr Phol appears as a direct supplier to Nestlé and as a tier 2 supplier in other supply chains, mostly via traders, Nestlé does not and has not sourced sugar products from Mitr Phol Group in Cambodia. Regardless, we are concerned by the allegations and continue to follow developments...

We have engaged in intensive supply chain mapping and traceability efforts in the sugar sector over the past six years. This has allowed us to investigate practices at farm and plantation level with our implementation partners. Mitr Phol Thailand was one of the first suppliers to engage in this process. After building a supply chain map linking Mitr Phols’ Thai operations to Nestlé factories in 2013, Proforest carried out a first visit in Danchang in March 2014 followed by a surveillance visit in March 2015. Proforest also visited Mitr Phols’ operations in Chiayphoo in March 2015.

During these assessments, we cover questions related to human rights issues including child labour and working conditions, land ownership and environmental questions like water management and the use of agrochemicals. In February 2017, our Responsible Sourcing team together with our implementing partner organisations visited Mitr Phol to hear more on the company’s progress and commitment to our RSG requirements...