Context
The food and beverage industry is being called on, more than ever before, to contribute to consumer health by providing products that take into account nutrition and health.
In 2022, the World Health Assembly adopted the Global alcohol action plan 2022–2030 to reduce harmful alcohol use, and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced its Guidelines on Health-Conscious Drinking in February 2024. For alcoholic beverages, these and similar moves have increased appeals to raise awareness around appropriate drinking practices and promote responsible marketing.
Suntory Group is enhancing our initiatives for appropriate product labelling and responsible marketing, working through our wide-ranging business activities to enrich our portfolio of nutrition- and health-conscious products and otherwise promote innovation for value creation, and supporting rich and comfortable lifestyles aligned with all stages of life.
Governance
Suntory Group has established a system for promoting sustainability management centered on the Global Sustainability Committee (GSC) to formulate strategies, promote initiatives, and check on progress related to the 7 key themes of sustainability, which include water, climate action, raw ingredients, containers and packaging, health, human rights, and lifestyle culture. GSC also oversees the progress of these strategies and analyzes the business risks and growth opportunities, reporting to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Our expert body, the ARS Committee, deals with alcohol-related issues, developing strategies for and promoting initiatives around practicing responsible marketing, raising awareness of appropriate drinking practices both internally and externally.
Strategies and Risk Management
Suntory Group is dedicated to contributing to the physical and mental well-being and joy of our customers' lives. We are advancing the development of products that consider nutrition and health, expanding our portfolio of sugar-free, low-sugar, and non-alcoholic beverages.
At Suntory Beverage & Food Limited, which oversees our food and beverage business, we have established our Health Policy o guide our efforts in supporting people to achieve healthier lifestyles.
Suntory Beverage & Food Limited Health Policy
- 1.In order to satisfy the health needs of consumers worldwide, we will continue to expand our portfolio of products which satisfy your taste buds, body and mind, as well as provide services to contribute to healthy and positive lifestyles.
- 2.We will perform research that contributes to the health of consumers and will develop more natural, healthy products for world by using the expertise we have cultivated in Japan over many years in developing beverages which are sugar-free, low-sugar, and fortified for better health.
- 3.We will base labeling and communication on the guidelines from government agencies and industry groups in each country and region, and will endeavor to make it easier for consumers to select healthy beverages.
- 4.We will contribute to solving global health issues through joint research with external specialized institutions and through other communication with various stakeholders.
We also support mental and physical self-care through our beverages and promote healthy behaviors utilizing digital tools contributing to healthier choices that support daily wellbeing.
In addition, in response to nutrition labelling becoming mandatory in countries such as, as well as the strengthening of self-regulation in the beverage industry, we are focusing on opportunities to enhance health contributions in the global market.
Societal concerns and the trend toward stronger regulations around health risks are also becoming significant external factors for our business. In the alcohol sector, in particular, informed by the WHO’s Global alcohol action plan 2022–2030 alcohol consumption guidelines from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there is demand for promoting responsible drinking and age-appropriate marketing practices. Suntory Group strictly enforces internal review systems and self-regulatory rules based on industry standards. In addition, through our global initiatives such as the DRINK SMART® program, we promote responsible communication and provision of information aligned with the cultural norms of each country and region in which we operate.
Indicators and Targets
Health-related indicators and targets are set by each of our companies and each of the countries in which we operate.
For more information, please refer to the following pages for specific initiatives, as well as each Group company’s sustainability reports.
Our Initiatives
Product Portfolio
Soft Drinks
Suntory Beverage & Food Limited is enhancing its portfolio of products that satisfy the mind and body while delighting the taste buds. Worldwide, it is developing products that use less sugar, food for specified health uses (FOSHU) and foods with function claims (FFC) to address health issues, and products that minimize the use of artificial colorings and flavorings.
Alcoholic Beverages
In addition to promoting responsible drinking, Suntory Group is developing non-alcoholic beverages for a broad range of adult consumers of legal drinking age to enjoy without worrying about the effects of alcohol. In 2010, we launched "All Free" and in 2011 "Non-al-kibun", pioneering the creation of a market for non-alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 0.00%. In recent years, we have expanded our product lineup with the release of "All Free for Your Body," a food with functional claims, in response to growing health consciousness, "Non-al-banshaku Lemon Sour Non-alcoholic," a lemon sour-flavored beverage, and "Non-al-de-wine-no-kyujitsu," a wine-flavored non-alcoholic beverage.
Health Foods
Scientific evidence is essential for health foods. Suntory Group bases its efforts on brewing technology cultivated over more than 100 years, continuously striving to harness nature's strength for maintaining health through foundational research. Suntory Institute for Science of Life undertakes research and development with a focus on the science of aging, including research on sesamin, a component found in miniscule quantities in sesame seeds—themselves an ingredient that has been considered beneficial for physical health since ancient times—and studies relating to brain and motor system health. Innovative products developed by the Institute include Sesamin EX, Omega Aid, and Locomre. These products are offered by Suntory Wellness, which handles the Group’s health business, and their development continues through active customer engagement.
Responsible Marketing
Marketing for Alcoholic Beverages
In Japan, our Global ARS Department internally reviews all marketing activities for products containing alcohol prior to launch, to ensure both legality and appropriateness, preventing any improper marketing practices. In 2006, we systematized pre-screening for product labeling, and in 2007, we revised our internal standards for advertising and sales promotion activities for alcoholic beverages to further strengthen our efforts. Since 2007, we have continued to promote responsible marketing activities by updating our standards in cooperation with industry associations and by conducting regular training sessions in relevant departments.
In addition, as part of Suntory Group's global Drink Smart® initiative, we collaborate with relevant organizations to implement programs tailored to the specific needs and cultural aspects of each market, based on fundamental principles such as preventing underage drinking and drunk driving, promoting responsible drinking, and consideration for those who do not drink.
Marketing to Children
Suntory Beverage & Food Europe (SBFE) is a signatory of the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices. SBFE also participates in UNESDA’s* Responsible Marketing in Schools program and is audited on its implementation of the program.
In addition, the company does not market directly to children under the age of 16 in any country where it sells its products, in accordance with the SBFE Responsible Code of Marketing and Communications, which it established in December 2023. It also implements initiatives in line with the policies of the countries and regions in which it operates.
- *UNESDA = Union of EU (European Union) Soft Drinks Associations
Responsible Product Labelling
Soft Drinks
Suntory Group recognizes the importance of providing nutrition information about our products, enabling consumers to make informed choices.
We strive to provide consumers with necessary information promptly and appropriately, including details related to safety and security. We also work to ensure that the phrasing used for our product labels, advertisements, publicity, and other materials is accurate, clear, and leaves no room for misunderstandings. Furthermore, Suntory Group’s Code of Business Ethics stipulates that we must conduct responsible marketing as a corporate group that offers diverse products and services.
Regarding product labeling, the Quality Assurance Division collaborates with related divisions in charge of development and production across Group companies to establish a system that ensures legal compliance and accuracy, thereby promoting clear and precise labeling.
For more information on our beverage labels, see Appropriate Information Disclosure.
Alcoholic Beverages
In accordance with voluntary standards established by the alcohol industry, all alcoholic products in Japan carry health warning labels to prevent underage drinking, as well as to caution pregnant and nursing women. Additionally, beer and ready-to-drink (RTD) products display an “alcohol” mark to ensure that they cannot be mistaken for juice.
Internationally, Suntory Global Spirits includes key nutrition information on both brand packaging and the Drink Smart website, along with symbols and messaging warning against drinking during pregnancy, drinking and driving, and underage drinking.
Helping Build Healthy Lifestyles
Support for Mental and Physical Self-care
In 2024, Suntory Beverage & Food International launched the menphys Project, aimed at helping young people dealing with mental or physical conditions or concerns that they may find difficult to talk about, using beverages, a familiar presence, to encourage positive steps forward. people. Spearheaded by young Suntory Group employees who identify with these challenges, the initiative supports self-care by resonating with young people’s desire to understand, respect, and confidently be themselves.
Promoting Health and Productivity Management
Today, engaging with health and productivity management and promoting the health of employees, who are vital resources, is indispensable for any business. Suntory Group operates SUNTORY+, a health management service that supports corporate health and productivity management. This app combines “real-world” and digital elements*1 and delivers reminders effectively, boasting a high continuation rate.*2 It is contributes to improving health literacy and promoting behavioral changes employees of companies where it has been introduced.
- *1The app displays various tasks related to healthy behaviors that users can complete to receive points, coupons, and other rewards that can be exchanged for beverages at vending machines set up at our locations
- *284%. Definition of continuation: app used once or more in the second month after first use
Supporting Lifestyles that Shines at Any Age
We offer the Comado health-tracking app to Suntory Wellness customers. Downloaded by over 600,000 people within a year since its launch, this app allows users to earn points by engaging in healthy behaviors and contributes to behavior change and the establishment of healthy habits, particularly among seniors.
We are also promoting the “Be supporters!” project, which aims to encourage the elderly residents and individuals with dementia in senior care facilities to become supporters of local soccer clubs, invigorating them both mentally and physically.
