Sustainability Report 2014
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• Continual improvement system, supported among
other instruments by: External audit programs in all
group units; microbiological end product sample
analysis program performed by an accredited ex-
ternal body; complaints handling system; mystery
customer program; and internal audit program re-
garding food safety indicators;
• Viva Bem (Live Well) Program, whereby the Group
informs consumers about its food safety systemand
healthy eating habits, ensuring that they receive the
necessary information in a transparent manner so
they can make the most suitable lifestyle choices.
Occupational Safety and Health
Coordinated by the Human Resources Department,
this area studies the safety and health risk factors re-
lated to the employee’s activity. Being aware of the
risks is the first step towards taking measures to pre-
vent occupational diseases and accidents. People
falling is the main cause of the accidents suffered in
the units, and although we have no record of declared
occupational diseases, this area continues to focus on
conceiving and developing control measures such as:
Informing all employees about eventual workplace risks,
as well as conduct to prevent work accidents;
• Initial workplace safety training, conducted during
the phase of entry and integration of newemployees;
• Continual training in the safety management stand-
ards of each Unit’s safety team;
• Implementation of self-protection measures in all
Units;
• Accompaniment of safety audits conducted by shop-
ping centres and airports for units located there;
• Maintenance of labour accident insurance policies;
• Organization of health and safety services according
to the independent external services mode;
• Safety and health standard verification audits;
• Risk assessment conception;
• Investigation and analysis of occupational accidents;
• Health examinations.
Financial
The Group’s policy concerning the financial riskmanage-
ment is conservative and cautious, andwhen derivative
instruments are used to hedge certain risks, we do not
take any measures that are unrelated to our operating
business, or for speculative purposes. Themain sources
of risk exposure are:
Foreign Exchange Risk
The foreign exchange risk is reduced, since the Group is
mostly present in the Iberianmarket. Despite the above
mentioned, the subsidiaries based in Angola obtained
U.S. dollar denominated debt, which does not have
yet a significant expression at the consolidated level.
In what concerns future financings outside the euro
area, the Group will follow a policy of natural coverage,
looking for financing in a local currency whenever the
interest rate terms are favourable.
Interest Rate Risk
Since the Group does not have significant inter-
est-bearing assets, the profit and the cash flows
of the financing activity are greatly independent
from the changes of the interest rate of the market.
The Group’s interest rate risk comes from liabilities,
