There are five food certification labels that would likely massively influence which products you choose to buy during your weekly shop – if you knew what they meant.
Of course our food budget for the week sometimes puts constraints on the products we’re able to buy, but if we can give you a heads up about what each label means, then we can all make more informed choices.
It turns out that nearly half of us Brits feel good about buying a product with a Fairtrade label on it because we feel happier we’re contributing to a better world, although we’re not exactly surehow.
It likely you’re familiar with the blue, lime green, and black label while stocking up on essentials like sugar, bananas and coffee, but 84% of us have little to zero knowledge about the specific projects it supports, according to a survey by Tate & Lyle.
Basically, the Fairtrade system means farmers have fairer deals and better working conditions, while local communities are supported. It also supports projects improving soil health and sustainable farming to preserve animal habitats.
We bet you feel better about buying Fairtrade bananas already!
Surprisingly though, while Gen Z is known for its activism and being more socially aware than previous generations, it’s the least aware of Fairtrade practices – while eight out of 10 of those 65 and over totally get it.
Another label you may have seen on your food a lot is the green frog label, which is the Rainforest Alliance certification seal. It applies to crops and ingredients (not finished products) and you’ll likely see it on chocolate, coffee and tea.
In short, to get this label growers must conform to a list of ‘sustainable agriculture principles’ including conserving local wildlife and water resources, minimising soil erosion, reforesting and treating workers fairly.
All products must contain at least 90% of the certified ingredient to get the seal but there are some exceptions – for example for herbal teas due to limited supply of some ingredients.
Herbal tea products only have to have 50% of the certified ingredient to use the seal.
If you’re a fan of seafood, the label you need to be looking out for is the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) logo – it’s blue with a tick.
It identifies fish which has been caught in a ‘sustainable way by well-managed fisheries’, according to the MSC. It also works to prevent over-fishing. If you’ve watched the latest David Attenborough doc, you’ll be in the know.
There are more than 1,500 MSC certified products across 49 species of fish in our supermarkets, so they won’t be hard to find.
Up next is a charity we’re all familiar with – the RSPCA. Animal products in the supermarket, including our Christmas staples like turkey, salmon and pork, are all covered by the RSPCA Assured logo.
What does the logo look like? It’s a yellow chicken, a pink pig and blue fish all fitting together to form a circle.
This mark ensures that the livestock was never kept in a cage (so chickens roam free and sows and piglets aren’t kept in farrowing crates).
Animals must also be provided with an enriching environment, so poultry need perches and calves need toys, while also having the space to move.
Humane slaughter must also be practiced and animals can’t be transported for more than eight hours. Stunning animals with electricity is also prohibited, as is the routine use of antibiotics.
Lastly is the EU Organic Soil Association which applies to any food, raw or processed, and drinks – and the label must be used in conjunction with the green Leaf.
Yes, we aren’t in the EU anymore but the UK can still carry the label.
It basically means that the product has an organic status which restricts the use of antibiotics, artificial additives, preservatives and chemicals.
We would describe the label to you but there’s not much to say, so just see the picture below.
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