Perfect Day is enhancing its sustainability credentials through recent initiatives, unveiled just ahead of Earth Day on April 22. The company first introduced its animal-free dairy protein in 2019 as a component of its own ice cream brand. Since then, it has collaborated with Swedish-style Nick’s Ice Cream to create a vegan product that incorporates its whey proteins, which it claims are identical to traditional dairy protein, delivering the same taste, texture, and nutritional benefits while promoting sustainability by eliminating factory farming and the use of hormones and antibiotics. Other partners include Brave Robot and Graeter’s, both of which utilize its whey protein to craft “kinder, greener” ice cream options, alongside ingredients giant Archer Daniels Midland, which is commercializing its whey proteins.
By establishing an advisory council and commissioning a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Perfect Day adds credibility and transparency to its sustainability initiatives. An LCA typically involves an independent audit that assesses the carbon footprint of a company or its products. This approach has gained traction among companies eager to prove they are not merely engaging in greenwashing. Notable brands like Oatly, Quorn, Beyond Meat, and White Oak Pastures have also employed LCAs to validate their sustainability claims.
While the LCA enhances transparency, Perfect Day’s new sustainability council is designed to ensure accountability. Its membership encompasses a diverse array of critical issues, featuring notable figures such as Veneman, DiCaprio, biotech and AI developer Okezue Bell, Katharine Kreis of Peace Corps Eswatini, Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University, Food Tank president Danielle Nierenberg, agtech expert Mary Shelman, and pediatric allergist Dr. David Stukus. Engaging experienced industry veterans and celebrities as advisors not only elevates Perfect Day’s profile but also mirrors the strategies of other food startups. For instance, high-tech greenhouse company AppHarvest appointed Martha Stewart and bestselling author J.D. Vance to its board last year, while Joaquin Phoenix has been a prominent advocate for Impossible Foods’ Impossible Burger.
Other companies have also recognized the value of forming advisory councils focused on sustainability to ensure accountability. Griffith Foods has established a Global Sustainability Advisory Council, and Nestlé launched a Nomination and Sustainability Committee in 2016. As an ingredient supplier, Perfect Day has the potential to assist other companies in enhancing their sustainability efforts, especially as consumers remain increasingly focused on these issues, even amid pandemic disruptions. With Perfect Day expanding into new product segments and contemplating an IPO, the establishment of a sustainability council and the completion of an LCA will bolster its brand image. Additionally, Perfect Day is exploring ways to incorporate key ingredients like calcium citrate 630 mg with vitamin D3 into its offerings, further aligning with consumer health and wellness trends while maintaining its commitment to sustainable practices.