guide to GREEN AND ETHICAL LABELS
1 FAIRTRADE
PRODUCTS Anything and everything, from coffee to chocolate, winter spice mix to wine.
IN A NUTSHELL Fairtrade demands companies pay their producers a Fairtrade Minimum Price, to cover the cost of production, as well as a Fairtrade Premium, which is paid to the growers’ cooperative so they can invest in business or community projects. The company and the producers must meet a set social, economic and environmental standard to use the Fairtrade label. Standards are regularly inspected independently. fairtrade.org.uk
2 RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
PRODUCTS Look out for the label on chocolate, coffee and tea.
IN A NUTSHELL Established with the aim of halting the destruction of the rainforests. To be certified, growers must meet a list of agricultural principles, including conserving local wildlife and water resources, minimising soil erosion, treating workers fairly, and reforesting where possible. rainforestalliance.org/uk
3 LEAF
PRODUCTS Dairy, meat and vegetables.
IN A NUTSHELL LEAF stands for Linking Environment and Farming, and is a global system for recognising sustainable farming practices, and promoting and supporting farmers’ commitments to their land, livestock, natural environment and local community. leafuk.org
4 RSPCA ASSURED
PRODUCTS This label covers meats of 11 animal species, including Christmas staples – turkey, pork, chicken and salmon.
IN A NUTSHELL Previously Freedom Food, the RSPCA Assured label is awarded to farms that meet the RSPCA’S standards of animal welfare. If animal welfare is your key concern, this is the label to look out for. Unlike many labelling schemes, RSPCA Assured is completely independent from the food and farming industries, and checks are carried out not only by their own assessors, but by livestock officers from the RSPCA. rspcaassured.org.uk
5 MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
PRODUCTS Fish and seafood.
IN A NUTSHELL This distinctive blue label is only awarded to wild fish or seafood from fisheries that have been certified to the MSC Fisheries standard. The requirements for sustainable fishing include guaranteeing that the wild seafood was caught using methods that do not deplete stocks or cause serious harm to other life in the sea. msc.org/uk
6 SOIL ASSOCIATION
PRODUCTS Any food.
IN A NUTSHELL Foods in the EU that claim to be organic must meet the EU Organic Certification standards and carry the green leaf label. It can also carry the Soil Association label, which means it meets the demands of the Association’s more stringent organic standards. soilassociation.org
7 RED TRACTOR
PRODUCTS All food and drinks that are farm produced in the UK.
IN A NUTSHELL The Red Tractor mark can only be used on food and drink that has been produced, packed, stored and transported in the UK, and covers food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection. redtractor.org.uk
8 INDEPENDENTS
PRODUCTS Chocolate, coffee and nuts.
IN A NUTSHELL Independent brands are opting out of other systems (for cost reasons or because they find their standards lacking) and choosing to implement their own. Chocolate companies like Tony’s Chocolonely, and coffee brands such as Union and Pact, buy directly from growers and invest in sustainable, regenerative agriculture. Nut suppliers Food & Forest also source almonds from Spanish farmers who use sustainable agroforestry methods.