Alcoholic Drinks
Over 50 brands rated, plus which beers are vegetarian and vegan.
Avoid an ethical hangover with our guide to 15 brandies and cognacs
Once the preserve of teenagers, street drinkers and ruddy faced farmers, cider's renaissance has seen a boom in great tasting organics.
Ten brands rated
Fairtrade organic or 'free trade' multinational - we give you the options.
Twenty seven vodkas put to the test.
More whisky than we can fit on the page!
The growth of fairtrade wines has begun to focus attention on workers' rights in the industry. We rate over a hundred brands.
Other Drinks
Bottled water
See Water (bottled)
Coffee
There's never been more choice of fairtrade and organic coffee - but with multinationals muscling in on the market, is all fairtrade coffee ethical and what are the ethical brands beyond the labelling schemes?
This report looks into the ethical standards of the cofeeshop chains which dominate our high streets (first published in 2005)
Fizzy drinks - see Soft Drinks
The reality behind the multinationals and ethical alternatives (first published 2004).
Turning over a new leaf? Speciality teas may not be as natural as you think (first published in 2006)
Want to avoid dairy milk? We look at the options (first published in 2006).
Are the ethics of smoothie companies as pure as the fruit they contain? First published in 2007.
First published in 2007 in issue 105 of the magazine,
The low down on 25 brands of squash, cordial and concentrates. Published in July/August 2009.
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We've come a long way since the first Fairtrade tea in 1994. In this 2008 report we review 13 brands of fairtrade and organic tea.
Extracting it leads to water shortages, transporting it contributes to climate change and disposing of the packaging releases toxic chemicals! but if you can't avoid it, which brand to buy? Published in 2006, issue 102.
Food
There is a stark contrast in the baked bean market between iconic brand-names and small, organic producers. First published in 2007, issue 104.
The not-so-sweet activities of some of the large companies involved in the manufacture of biscuits - first published in 2009, issue 120.
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The ethical issues behind the simplest of foods, from 2006.
Healthier alternatives to the major brands. First published in 2007, issue 108.
First published in 2008, in issue 116 of the magazine.
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This report looks into the ethical standards of the coffeeshop chains which dominate our high streets. First published in 2005, in issue 92 of the magazine.
Cereal bars and flapjacks
33 brands rated and compared in this report from Issue 125, July/August 2010. Includes comparison of ingredients and price.
Not available as a free report.
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Chocolate
This report gets its teeth into a sticky subject. The report was first published in the magazine in Nov/Dec 2009, Issue 121. It covers:
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It's so everyday we are unlikely to give it a second thought, but there's a world of difference between the organic alternatives and climate-change-in-a-bottle. In this 2008 report we rate 13 brands.
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18 organic and supermarket brands rated. The report was first published in 2008 in issue 113 of the magazine.
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Nineteen brands rated.
Ice-cream
From ethical companies producing Fairtrade and organic ice cream, to multinational food giants
Fifteen brands rated.
First published in 2008, in issue 116 of the magazine.
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Despite recent adverts to the contrary, it's still Paddington Bear's favourite.
Don't go nuts over which brand to buy. Read our report.
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The brands in this report range from some of the worst scores possible, to some of the best. First published in Ethical Consumer 100, 2006.
Pet food
Animal lovers would be horrified to think the food they feed their four legged friends involved animal testing and factory farming. Also includes the carbon pawprint of keeping pets and vegetarian cats and dogs. Published in Issue 123 of the magazine, March/April 2010.
Not available as a free report here.
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In a pickle about multinationals? Check out the ethical alternatives (first published 2006, issue 106).
In-depth report of what 26 national chains bring to your table. The report was first published in 2007 in issue 110 of the magazine.
26 brands rated, from the very best to those to avoid. Also:
- which brands are organic or Fairtrade
- rice's involvement in the world food crisis
- gene erosion
- the impact of genetically modified crops
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The brands on our high streets.
First published in 2009, in issue 117 of the magazine. Includes articles on sugar cane v beet, the environmental impact of sugar and the history of sugar. Also includes info on artificial sweeteners and natural sweeteners.
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Are there meaningful distinctions between the retail giants? We put the chains to the test.
Tinned tuna
Which brands to buy to help tuna and marine wildlife get off the hook.
Published in Issue 124 May/June 2010.
Not available as a free report.
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Tomato ketchup and brown sauce
Reducing meat consumption is one of the key steps Western consumers can make towards sustainability - but there are some unpalatable truths about the companies behind some popular brands of vege sausages and burgers.
This buyers guide peels back the lid on the yogurt pot, revealing animal welfare concerns and discussing the soya conundrum. First published in 2006.