Traceability

In fiscal year 2023, Post completed a data analytics initiative to map the end-to-end flow of purchased ingredients and materials into sold products and the connections between specific suppliers and customers. The scope of this initiative included all fully owned global subsidiaries and positions our organization to comply with evolving supply chain and traceability requirements and incorporate more effective predictive analytics on the potential implications of supply disruptions.

The principal materials we use to make our products are purchased from local, regional and international suppliers and include wheat, oats, rice, corn, other grain products, vegetable oils, dairy- and vegetable-based proteins, sugar and other sweeteners, fruit, nuts, eggs, pork and other animal proteins and fats, pasta, potatoes, bakery products, cheese, milk, butter and water.

A portion of our egg needs comes from company-owned layer hens, and the balance is purchased under third-party contracts and in the spot market. We also buy significant amounts of grain to feed layer hens. In addition, we procure live sows at prevailing market prices, and under fixed-price contracts, from terminals, local auctions, country markets, and corporate and family farms in various U.S. locations. Our Refrigerated Retail segment also uses carbon dioxide as a cooling agent during its sausage production.

The principal packaging materials we use are folding cartons, corrugated boxes, flexible and rigid plastic film, trays and containers, beverage packaging, plastic-lined cartonboard, large format bags and steel cans and lids.