Pioneering vegan food firm The Redwood Wholefood Company has been named the UK’s most ethical vegetarian foods supplier for the fifth year running.
Redwood, producer of more than 50 different 100% natural plant based foods under the Cheatin’, Vegideli and Cheezly brand names, received the highest score in the latest ethical audit carried out by the Ethical Company Organisation (ECO), which sets the benchmark for corporate social responsibility (CSR).
After examining the CSR records of all the leading vegetarian foods suppliers, the ECO awarded Redwood an impressive overall rating of 92% in its Ethical Company Index, 1% up from last year.
Other brands audited included Realeat and Linda McCartney which scored 75%, Cauldron, Quorn, Dalepak and Grassington’s, which all scored 71%, and Wicken Fen which had an overall rating of 67%. Tivall – owned by Nestle – scored just 50%.
Factors taken into account by the ECO during its research were the companies’ attitude towards animal welfare, human rights and the environment, as well as food integrity, such as the avoidance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
William Sankey, research director of The Ethical Company Organisation, said: “Congratulations to Redwood for an excellent Ethical Company Index score and also for yet again attaining Ethical Accreditation.”
Heather Mills, who bought the multi award winning firm last year, describing her acquisition as ‘a dream come true’, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have come top of the ECO’s Ethical Company Index for the fifth year running.
