We have a cross-functional environmental steering group, with Board sponsorship, which sets the environmental strategy and direction for the business.

This is communicated via our environmental policy and underpinned by our environmental management system, which is based on the requirements of the International Environmental Standard ISO14001.

Allied Bakeries recognises the global environmental impact of unsustainable palm oil production and is committed to responsible sourcing of the palm oil that we use.

The bread making process in the UK requires a small amount of solid fat to be present in the recipe. Traditionally, animal fat or hydrogenated vegetable oils were used. Palm oil is naturally solid at room temperature and became used across the bread making industry as an alternative.

The levels we use are typically less than 0.2% of the bread and as such we account for a tiny fraction of the palm oil consumed in Europe. However this does not change the need for responsible sourcing.

Although we do not purchase palm oil directly, all of the palm oil that our suppliers currently source is purchased from Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) members.

Given the current lack of acceptable vegetarian alternatives to palm oil, our policy is to:

• Cover all of our palm oil requirements with Green Palm certificates to encourage growth in the supply of sustainable palm oil
• Actively drive our ingredient suppliers to move to sustainable palm as soon as is feasible, but with a deadline of using 100% sustainable palm oil by end of 2014.

We are members of RSPO and we ensure that our progress on the above policy is communicated to our stakeholders on a regular basis.

The bread bag has many important roles. It keeps the bread whole and protects it from production through to the consumers plate. One of the many benefits of the packaging is the product labelling. These labels communicate to consumers what is in the bag.

In terms of reducing the usage we continually look for opportunities to reduce packaging to have less impact on the environment.

There are many ways consumers can try and reuse their bread bags around the home. One example is to use the empty bag for wrapping kids' sandwiches in their pack lunches.

While all of our bags are capable of being recycled, not all councils will accept them. However bags are recyclable through recycling banks, details of which are available on the WRAP (Waste & Resource Action Plan) website

Our CareLine is the vital link between us and the people who eat our products.

UK phone; 0800 197 0110. Ireland phone: 1800 928 110. Email via CareLine. They are supported by our technical team who can help with information about our product range.

It is very important. The key to looking and feeling great is adopting a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Bread provides us with a key carbohydrate as well as B vitamins, protein and calcium needed in our daily diet.

In breadmaking salt has an essential role in controlling fermentation and affects the texture and flavour of the finished bread. Recognising the impact of salt in the diet, along with the rest of the food industry, Allied Bakeries have been reducing salt levels since 2004.

Allied Bakeries does not use GM ingredients. We work closely with approved third party suppliers to secure supply of non-GM, identity preserved ingredients. Our supply chain is closely monitored to ensure compliance.

All new ingredients are assessed for compliance.

Yes, with one notable exception, Kingsmill 50/50 with Omega 3 because the omega 3 is sourced from fish oil (the most effective form). Beyond Omega 3 there are no animal products used in any of our products.

The "Safety First" programme promotes health and safety standards, activity and performance. Learning from every accident, hazard and near miss, our vision is simple: to become the UK's safest Bakery business.

The results speak for themselves. Over the three years to March 2011, the percentage of people suffering a lost time injury fell by more than two-thirds. However, we recognise that being 'the safest' goes beyond accident numbers - it's about a safety culture. We are developing a leadership team whose behaviour reflects the importance of safety, health and wellbeing and who are advocates for Safety First.

Our fleet operations have received awards from road safety charity Brake for initiatives including driver training and early adoption of the Department for Transport Certificate of Professional Competence Scheme.