Environmental responsibility

We take responsibility for the environment. The Bell Food Group is actively committed to the protection of natural resources and combines quality in food production with sustainable action.

Environmental responsibility is a central component of the Bell Food Group's understanding of sustainability. As a food producer, we are aware of the importance of our ecological footprint and understand the impact of our activities on water, soil, air, plants and animals. These natural resources not only form the basis for the quality of our products, but are also essential for an intact environment.

We assume our environmental responsibility by promoting more sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing. Our products meet strict minimum social and ecological standards, while a growing proportion of our range offers additional added value in the areas of ecology, social issues and animal welfare.

Strategic fields of action

The dimension "environmental responsibility" of the Bell Food Group comprises 5 strategic fields of action: Greenhouse gas emissions and energy, water, disposal and recycling, ecosystems, animal welfare.

Greenhouse gas emissions and energy

We are committed to science-based climate targets in accordance with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), reducing our operational greenhouse gas emissions by 21% by 2026 (Scope 1/2) and pursuing the vision of "climate neutrality in operations" by 2035 and across the entire supply chain by 2050.

Water

By 2026, we will minimize our operational water consumption by 10% in non-risk areas and by 50% in risk areas. We are also maintaining and improving our wastewater quality.

Disposal and recycling

We are closing recycling loops, reducing operational food losses to < 1% by 2026 and have at least 50% recyclable packaging.

Ecosystems

By 2026, we will increase our sales of organic products to CHF 370 million and 72% of our seafood range will be rated as at least recommendable by the WWF. We are also pursuing the "Zero Deforestation 2030" vision.

Animal welfare

We have implemented a company-wide animal welfare policy on animal welfare aspects by 2022. 37% of our animal raw materials in the entire Bell Food Group (60% in Bell Switzerland) are certified with an animal welfare label by 2026.

Our progress in figures

Our stories: News from the world of sustainability

10.01.2025

Sustainability & innovation
New cattle slaughterhouse in Oensingen

We strive for the highest standards of animal welfare in our slaughter processes.

11.12.2024

Sustainability & innovation
Waste heat from Bell heats Zell school buildings

Bell Switzerland has implemented a lighthouse project in Zell: the Bell poultry processing plant is now heating the upper school center in the Lucerne community with waste heat.

23.02.2021

Sustainability & innovation
Together for sustainable soy

The Swiss Soy Network has been campaigning for the responsible cultivation of feed soy for ten years. The specification of sustainability standards has initiated a rethink in the soy industry. As one of the 29 current members of the association, Bell Switzerland is also committed to the sustainable procurement of the coveted beans.

08.12.2020

Sustainability & innovation
This barn is anything but ordinary

Bell's new "BTSplus" poultry house has been in operation in Zimmerwald since July 2020. The barn is Minergie-A-certified, completely energy-neutral and will one day set new standards in the rearing of broiler chickens.

04.12.2020

Sustainability & innovation
Hilcona hums and buzzes

The Hilcona team has received around 40,000 new colleagues. They have six legs and two wings and have been humming happily around the headquarters in Schaan since this summer.

17.09.2020

Sustainability & innovation
Bundled expertise in the new iBox

Since last October, Hilcona has been setting the course for the culinary future at its new competence center in Schaan. iBox is the name of the innovation hub, where six teams from product development, technology and packaging management work closely together. Their common goal: to create exciting new products for the various product categories.

08.08.2020

Animal welfare
Swiss minimum standards and beyond

The voluntary federal program for "Particularly animal-friendly housing systems BTS" sets higher animal welfare requirements than the animal welfare legislation. Bell already began to gradually transfer BTS requirements to poultry farms outside Switzerland in 2013. This means that the Swiss minimum standards are not only met abroad, but exceeded.

03.08.2020

Animal welfare
Regionality is the trump card

Süddeutsche Truthahn AG (Sütag) in Ampfing focuses on high-quality and regionally produced turkey meat. The company is the market leader for organic turkey meat in Germany and Sütag produces turkey meat in accordance with the Swiss BTS standard for the Swiss retail giant Coop.

03.08.2020

Animal welfare
For the benefit of animals - and people

Hubers, one of the pioneers in the organic poultry sector, has been part of the Bell family since 2015. The Austrian company began processing organic chicken more than a quarter of a century ago. Today, it is one of the largest suppliers in Europe. And the trend is rising. This is because customer demand for meat from animal-friendly husbandry continues to grow.

03.08.2020

Conditions of employment
In search of the best in the industry

Anyone who receives an award from the Hermann Herzer Foundation has achieved something special in the meat industry. This was the wish of the founder of the foundation, who spent 36 years of his professional life at Bell - including many years as Managing Director. Through his foundation, he continues to support those who are willing to give their best, even after his death.

03.08.2020

Greenhouse gases and energy
Sustainably combined

Sustainability also plays a key role in logistics. The combination of road and rail transport offers great potential for reducing CO2 emissions. Bell has successfully implemented such projects within Switzerland and also in transport traffic between Italy and Germany.

03.08.2020

Greenhouse gases and energy
Making sensible use of waste heat

Energy consumption and CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced at the Bell sites in Oensingen and Zell. This is shown by so-called "pinch analyses". Based on their results, measures to improve sustainability can be implemented.

03.08.2020

Animal welfare
Working for healthy animals

The health service in Zell is responsible for all animal health issues. It works together with advisors on site at the livestock farms and with specialists from other departments. The health service keeps an eye on the production chain from A to Z.

03.08.2020

Sustainability & innovation
A common cause for sustainability

The Bell Food Group places the highest demands on sustainability not only for its own activities. It is also important to the company that its suppliers pull together with it on this issue. All suppliers must meet the minimum requirements defined for the Bell Food Group. For some producers, however, the commitment goes well beyond this.

06.09.2019

Sustainability & innovation
MSC-Pulpo - fishing with brains

We all know that we humans should not pull everything we can from the sea. But too few of us still act accordingly. Bell now sources octopus from MSC-certified catches for Coop.

Further strategic fields of action

Social responsibility

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Governance

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