Better Health for All

Darling Ingredients' core business includes products with direct health benefits, such as the Colartix supplement, which reduced joint discomfort in 213 participants, and the Nextida GC collagen peptide, which reduced post-meal blood glucose spikes by an average of 42% in a clinical trial of 16 individuals.

The company also supplies ingredients for human health and wellbeing and partners to develop gelatin-based therapies for regenerative medicine. Darling Ingredients maintains strong product safety and quality standards, adhering to FDA FSMA, HARPC/HACCP plans, and conducting annual mock recall exercises. Ingredients are tested for contaminants, and the company offers traceability for livestock nutrients and its production processes. Health benefit claims for products like Nextida GC are substantiated by peer-reviewed clinical studies. The company's operations generate positive health externalities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil fuels, alleviating overburdened landfills, and treating and returning more water to the environment than it uses. The company emphasizes preventative health through products like Colartix and Nextida GC, and its food safety systems. Clinical trials for its products are published in peer-reviewed journals, and one study for Colartix was designed to include a wider cohort of participants, indicating ethical conduct.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Darling Ingredients Inc. had 15 substantiated workplace safety or health violations by OSHA in the past three years (2022-2024).

A fatal accident in August 2020 at a chicken-rendering plant resulted in two employee deaths, and OSHA cited the company for repeat safety procedure failures. The CEO-to-median employee pay ratio was 130:1 for Fiscal Year Ending 2024. Employee engagement scores were approximately 65%.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Darling Ingredients does not verify or audit, and typically does not use third parties to audit, or require unannounced third-party audits, of its direct suppliers’ facilities on the issues of human trafficking and slavery.

However, Darling uses supply agreements that require direct suppliers to comply with laws, regulations, and the company's Supplier Code of Conduct and Human Rights Policy. Darling reserves the right to audit compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct. Darling reserves the right to take corrective action, including ceasing to do business with any non-compliant supplier.

Honest & Fair Business

Darling Ingredients Inc. and its subsidiaries incurred approximately $1.15 million in regulatory fines from 2022 to 2024 for environmental and workplace safety violations

, including a $39,375 air pollution fine and a $185,374 workplace safety fine in 2024 . The company has a "Speak Up and Retaliation Policy" covering worldwide operations for employees and third parties . This policy features a 24/7 anonymous hotline managed by an independent third-party provider , available in over 40 languages , with a non-retaliation commitment and periodic training . Reports are acknowledged within 2 business days , receive weekly status updates , and are resolved within 3 months . Darling Ingredients has a detailed "Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy," updated in September 2025 , with a zero-tolerance approach . It covers worldwide operations, employees, and third parties , prohibiting various forms of bribery . The policy requires pre-approval for certain payments , mandates internal accounting controls and accurate record-keeping , and provides regular anti-corruption training, alongside due diligence and ongoing monitoring of third parties .

Kind to Animals

Darling Ingredients states a commitment to responsible science, minimizing animal testing, and using it only when in vitro methods are unavailable

, while following national and international regulations . The company emphasizes in vitro and clinical studies , utilizing hydrogels, purified gelatins, and 3D cell culture models to reduce in vivo animal research . Rousselot, a Darling Ingredients brand, collaborated with the University of Twente on a study using gelatin biomaterials in 3D in vitro models to potentially replace preclinical animal trials . Darling Ingredients operates as an animal byproduct rendering facility , collecting materials from animal agriculture and food industries , and does not operate animal agriculture facilities . The company works with regulatory agencies at federal, state, and local levels to help protect animal health and wellbeing and ensure compliance with applicable regulations .

No War, No Weapons

No specific, concrete data points were found in the provided articles to assess Darling Ingredients Inc. against the 'No War, No Weapons' ethical value. The company's core business involves sustainable natural ingredients from bio-nutrients. While one article mentions alleged violations of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for unauthorized exports to Canada and the United Kingdom, it does not specify these were arms or defense contracts, nor does it indicate these countries were embargoed regimes. Another article refers to a settlement related to underpaying rebates for a food service contract with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, which is not an arms or defense contract.

Consequently, there is no evidence to score any of the defined KPIs for this value.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

The company operates a comprehensive 'Speak Up Line' grievance mechanism, available 24/7, 365 days a year, and managed by an independent third-party.

This system supports reporting in over 40 languages and offers multiple channels, including online, phone, email, and mail, accessible to employees and third parties. For reported concerns, the company commits to acknowledging receipt within 2 business days and providing weekly updates on open cases. While a non-retaliation policy is in place and follow-up communications occur after case closure, the average resolution time for complaints is within three months (approximately 90 days).

Safe & Smart Tech

Darling Ingredients Inc. reported no material cybersecurity incidents affecting the company as of February 28, 2024.

The company's Cybersecurity Department regularly implements updates and changes to its cybersecurity program to remain current and adapt to emerging cybersecurity risks; conducts targeted vulnerability testing; and assigns pertinent Company personnel as owners for governance and compliance. Additionally, the company utilizes Oracle Cloud Guard for continuous security improvement.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Darling Ingredients Inc. achieved a waste diversion rate of 92% in 2022.

The company complies with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for hazardous waste management and has no mentioned waste disposal violations. In 2025, the company began producing renewable natural gas (RNG) from wastewater at its Dublin, Georgia, facility, which reduces Scope 1 emissions and creates a new revenue stream.