Skip to content
117,500 supermarket products have been assessed across six different criteria on health, sustainability and ethics – and overall, organic products perform better than non-organic products.
Giki’s analysis shows that across the board, organic products are more likely to be free from additives, have better animal welfare standards (a requirement for organic food), be a healthier option and have recyclable packaging.
The organic market has grown consistently in recent years, and many food and drink products now have an organic cousin. There are currently more than 500 supermarket-own brand or independent brands to choose from, and a third of these are completely organic.
With specific regard to meat, Giki data show that choosing organic means you’re more likely to be buying meat from an animal that has had a better quality of life, while also supporting the UK meat industry and reducing your consumption of additives, which tends to be an indicator for high levels of processing.
The Giki research also shows that by buying organic meat, you’re helping to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills as packaging is more likely to be recyclable.
Organic meat is now widely available through supermarket-own brands such as Waitrose (Duchy Organic), Asda, Sainsbury’s (SO Organic) and Morrisons, as well as from independent brands such as Daylesford.
Giki’s analysis of over 117,500 supermarket food and drink products indicates that the organic revolution has had the biggest impact on baby products. More than half of all baby foods are now organic, and one in seven baby milks and juices are organic.
Organic dairy products, especially milk alternatives, are also very popular.
More than a third of milk substitutes – including almond, oat and soya – are organic.
Brands such as Rebel Kitchen, Rude Health, Rice Dream and Alpro all offer organic milk alternatives. Organic cheese is harder to find, with just 2% being organic.
Fresh organic fruit and vegetables are also available at major supermarkets such as Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.
More than three-quarters of all fruit and veg categories provide at least one organic alternative.
Organic courgettes, cucumbers and pears are most widely available, with over a quarter of these being organic.
The products were rated by Giki, a social enterprise that was founded to encourage sustainable consumption.
Giki has rated over 250,000 products on sustainability, health and ethical issues; all you need to do is scan a barcode on Giki’s free iOS app to find information about each product.
The goal is to inspire people to make small, regular changes in their supermarket shopping that are good for them, better for the environment and fairer to others.
Giki also conducts research on key consumer issues in a bid to help people understand more about the products they buy and the companies they buy them from.
Click here to find out more about Giki, the ‘sustainable shopping companion’
Sorry we don't have any suggested related content at the moment. Please check back later.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?
