The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 calls on manufacturers who do business in California to disclose their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains. Welch’s recognizes that these practices plague every corner of the globe in spite of concerted efforts by government, industry, and other organizations to counter them.
Like all responsible manufacturers, Welch’s supports the fight against this tragic problem. As a privately-held agricultural cooperative, we are family farmers who grow and harvest our own grapes. Thus, we can certify that we do not use human trafficking or slavery in any of our agricultural processes.
Welch’s products also contain ingredients that come from third-party suppliers who undergo a rigorous approval process based on safety, quality, service, and a certification that they will comply with all applicable laws, including laws prohibiting slavery and human trafficking. We work only with suppliers who survive this approval process.
Post-approval, our suppliers are audited to verify that they continue meeting our quality and safety standards. Should a supplier fail at any time, we reserve the right to disqualify them and find a replacement in accordance with our accountability standards and procedures. In order to ensure maximum objectivity, Welch’s hires independent auditors who are widely used and trusted by the food industry. Although we cannot, by definition, control the design or outcome of independent audits, we would wholeheartedly support any effort by our auditors to begin investigating human trafficking and slavery as part of every supplier audit.
At Welch’s, we feel that the above steps are important not only to ensure fair labor practices, but also to guarantee that our consumers are always getting the safest and highest quality products possible. For this reason, we take the time to train our employees and managers who have direct responsibility over Welch’s supply chain on an ongoing basis. The health and safety of our consumers always comes first.
About Welch’s
Headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts, Welch’s is the processing and marketing subsidiary of the National Grape Cooperative. Welch’s is owned by 1,150 family-farmers across America and in Ontario, Canada, who make up this cooperative and who grow the delicious and inherently healthy Concord grape, used in Welch’s juices and other grape-based products. Welch’s is committed to research and development that will meet the growing demand for products that address consumers’ health and nutrition needs. Welch’s products are sold throughout the United States and in approximately 50 countries around the globe. For more information on Welch’s, visit www.welchs.com and www.grapescience.com.
