ProTerra Foundation Assumed Control of Harmony Wheat Program
The sustainability initiative has transitioned to independent governance to align with new European Union regulations.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Organic Food
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The ProTerra Foundation has officially taken over the management of the Harmony wheat sustainability program. This shift transforms the initiative into an independent certification scheme for the European wheat supply chain.
Why it matters
The change ensures compliance with the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, which requires independent governance for sustainability labels. By moving to a third-party model, the program aims to uphold transparency across its entire supply chain.
The program currently spans 57,000 hectares across seven European countries, including France, Italy, and Spain. It maintains an active network of 1,200 participating farmers.
The players
ProTerra Foundation
This organization acts as the new governing body for the Harmony wheat program, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards through third-party auditing.
Mondelez
This multinational food company remains a supporting member of the Harmony program after previously sourcing its entire European biscuit wheat supply through the initiative.
The details
ProTerra will now govern the program through comprehensive third-party audits that verify sustainable practices. While Mondelez remains a supporting member focused on innovation, the program is now open to all businesses across the European wheat supply chain.
Timeline
2008: The Harmony wheat program launched in France.
2025: Mondelez sourced all its European biscuit wheat through the program.
September 27, 2026: The EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive took effect.
September 28, 2026: ProTerra assumed management of the Harmony wheat program.
Roadmap
The move reflects a broader trend of agricultural supply chains professionalizing their sustainability claims to meet rigorous regulatory standards. This transition signals an industry-wide shift toward standardized, third-party verified environmental certification.
Consumers in the European market can expect increased transparency as the program shifts to independent auditing. This change ensures that products carrying the sustainability label meet consistent standards across the entire supply chain.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how international environmental regulations are forcing legacy corporate programs to adopt more transparent, independent structures. Consumers should look for third-party verification marks as a sign of rigorous sustainability oversight.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving standards in the industry by visiting the Organic Food section.
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Do you trust independent third-party certification schemes more than company-led sustainability programs?
