The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Registrar Corp, a provider of regulatory and compliance software for food, cosmetic and life science companies, has announced its acquisition of Foodsteps, a UK-based platform committed to helping food businesses reduce their environmental impact.

This move comes as the food industry faces increasing regulatory demands and pressure to fulfil near-term sustainability commitments.

Founded in 2018 by Cambridge University graduate Anya Doherty, Foodsteps has experienced remarkable growth, expanding 14-fold since 2021.

The platform is currently used by over 150 food businesses worldwide, including notable clients like Compass Group and Sky, to accurately measure, understand and communicate their environmental impacts from farm to fork.

The food sector, a significant contributor to emissions and biodiversity loss, is under scrutiny as global requirements accelerate.

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) was introduced last year, with other governments following suit to establish similar reporting standards. In March, the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) highlighted several major food companies that failed to set decarbonisation targets within the stipulated timeframe.

Foodsteps’ platform analyses data across supply chains, integrating sustainability metrics related to farming, packaging, processing and transport.

It offers automated life cycle assessments, providing organisations with the transparency needed to meet growing reporting requirements and set sustainability targets.

With this acquisition, Registrar Corp will enhance Foodsteps' reach, gaining access to a global market of over 32,000 companies across 190 countries, including 28,000 food businesses.

The partnership also leverages sustainability expertise from Paine Schwartz Partners, a private equity firm focused on sustainable food chain investing.

Doherty said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with Registrar. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for our team and the future of food sustainability. By combining Foodsteps’ software and expertise with Registrar’s leadership in regulation and compliance, we are set to deliver the next generation of sustainability solutions that the food industry needs.”

Brian Thies, senior vice president of corporate development at Registrar, added, “Foodsteps’ data platform is unparalleled. With industry-leading data recognised through partnerships with the University of Oxford, WWF and WRAP, the company has a proven track record of assisting procurement, sustainability and marketing teams in meeting reporting standards and net-zero goals."

He continued: "Together, we aim to help businesses comply with sustainability regulations and facilitate the transition to net zero by fostering transparent and sustainable global supply chains”.

#netzero #sustainaiblity #transparency #supplychain