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Fair Trade Eco Labels

Everyone recognises the above label. It tells you that the product you are looking at was produced in such a way that the workers involved were treated fairly.

 

But if I pick up two fair trade chocolate bars, how can I compare the two, and decide which is best. Perhaps a rating should be included with the label.

There is a need for a unified quantity based ethical labelling system as is recognised by the food ethics council, below is a summary of there report, taken from their website to which there are links below:

  • The UK market for ‘ethical’ food products (labelled organic, Fairtrade or better for animal welfare) grew from £1 billion in 1999 to £5.4 billion in 2005.
  • The ethical labelling of products reveals the intense competition on ethical performance that has opened up in the food sector, particularly in retail.
  • There is concern this competition may damage consumer trust by generating a plethora of non-comparable ethical claims.
  • Dissatisfaction with minimum standards is leading some accreditation bodies to move beyond monitoring compliance to stress the need for corporate commitment.
  • Collaboration, combining standards, campaigning and regulation could all help to ensure that competition on ethical performance drives progress across the whole sector.
  • Choice editing to improve base-line performance across a broad range of ethical criteria could strengthen trust in major brands.
  • Businesses can benefit from involving customers in shaping their ethical policy.

http://www.foodethicscouncil.org

The report for this meeting can be found here.

http://www.foodethicscouncil.org/files/businessforum180308.pdf

   

In 2006, the Fairtrade market grew by 40% to a value of £200m, while the range of products is now over 1500 items.

After years as a niche product, Fairtrade seems to have finally broken through into the mainstream.

Yet as the movement grows, there is concern about the premium pricing of Fairtrade products in some supermarkets, and there is dismay in some circles that the controversial food giant Nestle has been granted Fairtrade status.

More Info

Official Fair Trade Site

Buy Fairtrade Stuff Online

News

The People & Planet Green League 2011 unveiled today (8 June) by the UK's leading student campaign network reveals that the Fairtrade and ethical performance of 142 universities has improved over the last year.

• People & Planet Green League reveals improvements in Fairtrade & ethical procurement
• 30% increase in certified Fairtrade Universities
• 19 out of Top 20 institutions and 67% of all UK universities and colleges are now accredited Fairtrade Universities showcasing their commitment to raising awareness and availability of products with the FAIRTRADE Mark on campus.

19 out of the top 20 universities in this year's ranking have achieved Fairtrade University status and 9 new universities gained Fairtrade Status this year.

Fairtrade University certification is an objective standard, accredited by the Fairtrade Foundation, for progressive Fairtrade purchasing in universities. All across the UK, students and university and college staff are taking action to make their campuses more ethical, especially around raising awareness and availability of products with the FAIRTRADE Mark.

Full Story on Fairtrade Stuff ay Universitys