Ethical labels explained

9 July 2007

Confused by fairtrade or organic labels? Here's what to expect when you see the symbols.

FAIRTRADE
Buy Fairtrade and you're helping improve conditions for workers and their families. You pay a premium that's guaranteed to go to disadvantaged farmers in developing countries.
For more information about Fairtrade see www.fairtrade.org.uk


ORGANIC
This symbol shows products are grown using the absolute minimum of fertilisers and pesticides and animals are reared without the routine use of drugs. The best-known badge is from the Soil Association, which assesses more than 70 per cent of all UK organic goods. There are 10 other UK organic certifiers.
For more information about the Soil Association see www.soilassociation.org


VEGETARIAN SOCIETY APPROVED
The seedling symbol shows food, drinks and household products that are free of animal products; that eggs are free range; products are GMO-free; and that items have not been tested on animals.
For more information about the Vegetarian society see www.vegsoc.org


RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
This means products are produced to strict guidelines that help protect the environment, wildlife, workers and local communities.
For more information about the Rain Forest Alliance see www.rainforest-alliance.org


LEAF
This stands for Linking Environment and Farming and shows that the food is produced by farmers committed to helping the environment.
For more information about LEAF see www.leafuk.org/leaf/


FSC
The Forestry Stewardship Council label means wood has come from a well-managed forest according to strict environmental and economic standards.
For more information about the FSC see www.fsc.org/en


CARBON FOOTPRINT
A new carbon reduction label from the Carbon Trust that shows a measure of a product's carbon content from source to store and indicates a commitment from companies to reduce the carbon footprint of their products.
For more information about the carbon reduction label see www.carbon-label.co.uk


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