Sustainability certifications
A sustainability certification doesn’t make a product sustainable across every topic. Often, it’s a specific attribute of the sourcing that the certification is looking at – you can find details of this below. We’re continuing to develop our programme to move to a holistic approach to product sustainability.
We can only secure the future of food by working together. We have One Planet, and we invite you to pull up a chair and join us at One Table, to work together for a more sustainable future. Sustainability is essential to our business purpose of connecting the world to share food and care for one another. We rely on the health of our planet and the resilience of our food systems to feed the world. Together, we have an opportunity to take action.
Forest Stewardship Council Certification (FSC)
FSC certifies forests and forest‑derived products that meet rigorous standards for biodiversity protection, sustainable harvesting, and respect for Indigenous and workers’ rights. Its label indicates that wood and paper products come from forests managed to maintain ecological health and long‑term regeneration.
Marine Stewardship Council Certification (MSC)
MSC sets science‑based standards for wild‑capture fisheries that require healthy fish populations, minimal bycatch, and protection of marine habitats. Its blue label indicates seafood sourced from fisheries that follow sustainable harvesting practices and maintain the long‑term health of marine ecosystems.
Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certification (ASC)
ASC certifies farmed seafood operations that limit pollution, protect surrounding habitats, ensure responsible feed sourcing and fair labour conditions. Its standards require farms to monitor water quality, reduce antibiotic use, and minimise impacts on wild species and local communities.
Auditing / Verification Process. The certification must require third-party verification of the farm/site/plant to confirm that standard requirements are met. There must be an annual or regular process for reverification.
Availability of Standard. The certification must allow open enrolment if in an applicable industry/geography.Certifications cannot be restricted to a single company or buying group’s supply chain.
Robustness of Standard. Defined thresholds for achievement of the certifications. General commitments or reporting data cannot be the only requirement for achieving certification.
Traceability. The certification must have a mechanism in place to ensure the product sold truly reflects the criteria, such as chain of custody requirements. The certification label must be product-specific for traceability purposes. Certifications must apply to the product itself, not the product packaging.
Relevant and Ambitious on Material Topics. The certification must cover at least one of our eight material environmental and social topics shown below:
Climate
Natural ecosystems use
Water
Resources exploitation
Pollution
Human health
Animal health & welfare
Human and worker rights
Sysco is on a mission to provide access to products and suppliers that are working to secure the future of food,feeding communities and reducing our impact on the planet.