Corporate social responsibility

Elsedien de Groot, director of The Ortho Company BV, is a proponent of ‘corporate social responsibility’ in a number of ways. For example, she personally demands guarantees that the raw materials supplied make no use of child labour or animal testing. “I always visit the supplier to see for myself how a raw material is produced”, she explained. “Consumers must be able to trust a product so I leave no stone unturned in my contacts with manufacturers.”

The environment is also protected wherever possible. “We consider sustainability an essential precondition. In the production of Plantina Trimare, our fish oil product, we always operate strictly within the regulations of the local fishing quota. In the interests of the consumer, use is also made of a patented purification system. The fish oil capsules are not only tested as standard for impurities, such as heavy metals and toxic environmental agents; monitoring is also carried out for the possible presence of new environmental substances. The standards that apply for Plantina Trimare are stricter than the standards specified by the government.”

The sponsoring programmes of Plantina are also based on the principle of sustainability. “We not only sponsor elite athletes but also up and coming talent and local clubs. It is clear when you read about our products that we wish young people the very best. Plantina Multi Junior contains no sugar or other sweeteners. In that respect, it differs from the majority of other preparations for children.”