Harmony Wheat Program Transitioned to New Management
The sustainability program now operates as an independent certification scheme for European wheat farmers.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Organic Food
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The ProTerra Foundation has assumed governance of the Harmony wheat program, a sustainability initiative spanning 57,000 hectares. The change allows the program to function as an independent certification scheme open to businesses across the European wheat supply chain.
Why it matters
The transition ensures the program meets new regulatory standards for independent sustainability label governance in Europe. This shift formalizes oversight for a project currently involving 1,200 farmers across seven countries.
The Harmony wheat program now encompasses 1,200 farmers and 57,000 hectares across seven European nations. The scope of this new independent management remains subject to future third-party audit performance.
The players
ProTerra Foundation
An organization that establishes international standards for sustainable agricultural practices and supply chain transparency.
Mondelez
A multinational food company that produces snacks and biscuits and provides support for the Harmony wheat program.
Kraft Foods
A food manufacturing entity that originally launched the Harmony wheat program in France.
The details
ProTerra Foundation now governs the program, implementing third-party audits to verify sustainability practices throughout the entire supply chain. This move aligns the initiative with the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, which mandates that sustainability labels be managed by independent third parties. Mondelez, which sourced all its European biscuit wheat through this program in 2025, continues to support the initiative as a member focused on innovation.
Timeline
The Harmony wheat program launched in France in 2008.
Mondelez sourced all European biscuit wheat through the program in 2025.
The EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive took effect on September 27, 2026.
ProTerra assumed control of the Harmony wheat program on September 28, 2026.
Health Landscape
This transition reflects a broader trend toward stricter regulatory oversight for agricultural sustainability labels in the European market. It updates the governance structure of the Harmony program to comply with the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.
Consumers should note that the shift toward independent certification is designed to increase transparency regarding how wheat is sourced. While this change does not alter individual nutrition, it reinforces the value of checking for independent sustainability labels when making food choices.
The takeaway
The move to independent management brings increased rigor to the verification of sustainable farming practices in the wheat supply chain. Readers interested in sustainability may look for third-party certification marks on packaging as a indicator of verified environmental standards.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving standards for agricultural sustainability, visit our Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Do you trust independent third-party certification schemes more than company-led sustainability programs?
