Our guide to ethical and sustainable sweets
Which Sweets brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Sweets Ethical Comparison Table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
Why is it important to buy ethical sweets?
Sweets have been a popular treat of choice for generations. According to The Grocer, Brits spend millions every year on their favourite sweets, primarily from popular brands such as Haribo, Skittles and MAOAM. But did you know that some of the UK’s leading sweet brands are contributing to environmental harm and animal cruelty?
Unfortunately, ingredients such as palm oil and gelatine, which come with a whole host of ethical concerns, are commonly found in many sweets on the market today. Read on to find out more about the ethical issues in the sweets sector. This guide, as well as our Sweets Ethical Comparison Table, will show you how to find ethical sweets that you can enjoy guilt-free.
Sweets, palm oil and environmental destruction
Palm oil (and its derivates) is often found in popular sweets products, as it can be used to create the chewy, gummy texture that many sweet tooths love. However, the use of this ingredient comes at a high environmental cost.
Palm oil is notorious in the sustainability world for its detrimental impact on the environment and global ecosystem. Palm oil production has led to widespread deforestation, primarily in Southeast Asia and South America, destroying critical habitats for endangered species such as orangutans, tigers and elephants.
Rainforest Rescue states that palm oil plantations cover over 27 million hectares of our planet – an area the size of New Zealand! The destruction of forests to make way for palm oil plantations has deprived the planet of important tools for absorbing carbon dioxide, therefore exacerbating climate change. Moreover, the intensive cultivation of palm oil has been associated with environmental degradation, soil erosion, and water pollution, further jeopardizing the delicate balance of ecosystems.
The expansion of palm oil plantations has not only impacted the earth and its wildlife, but it has also pushed thousands of people, often from vulnerable communities, from their homes. A recent report by Global Witness exposed Brazilian palm oil producers, Brasil Biofuels (BBF) and Agropalma, for ‘waging violent campaigns’ to silence Indigenous and traditional communities whose lands were seized by the companies to grow more palm crops. Additionally, the labour practices within the palm oil industry have often been criticised for exploiting workers and using child labour, highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding palm oil production.
What is gelatine and why is it used in sweets?
Another ingredient commonly found in sweets is gelatine. Gelatine is a translucent, flavourless substance derived from collagen, a natural protein present in animal skin and bones. In the food industry, it is commonly used as a gelling agent in various confectionery products, as it provides a distinct chewy and gummy texture that is favoured by many sweet lovers.
As gelatine is an animal-derived ingredient, there are several animal welfare concerns present. How can we be sure that the animals used in the production of gelatine were treated ethically and humanely? Moreover, any sweets containing gelatine are not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, which makes them inaccessible to many consumers. As many plant-based alternatives to gelatine are available, there is no need for animal exploitation in the production of sweets.
Our sweets research: brands that will leave a sour taste in your mouth
The Good Shopping Guide’s latest research into the Sweets sector reveals the least ethical sweets brands. Brands owned by Nestlé and Mondelēz received the lowest scores in the research, which includes well-known brands such as Jelly Babies, Wine Gums and Fruit Pastilles. Skittles and Starbursts, owned by Mars, also received low scores.
Nestlé, Mondelēz and Mars have been criticised on several occasions for irresponsible palm oil sourcing. For instance, Nestlé and Mondelēz were named in the Global Witness report as buyers of BBF and Agropalma, making them complicit in the companies’ crimes against indigenous communities in Brazil. Additionally, in 2019, Rainforest Action Network accused all three companies of purchasing palm oil from producers linked to the illegal clearing of rainforests in nationally protected regions of Indonesia.
Haribo, another popular sweet brand, also received a less-than-satisfactory score. This includes a bottom rating in the Environmental Report category, which indicates that the company does not have sufficient sustainability policies in place to address its environmental impact. Haribo also receives a bottom rating for Vegetarian/vegan, as it does not have any vegetarian or vegan-certified sweets and many of its products contain gelatine.
Brands that are making a difference: how to find vegan and palm oil free sweets
On the bright side, there are many brands in our Sweets Ethical Comparison Table that received excellent ratings. These brands have sought to address the many ethical issues within the sweets sector by providing ethical and sustainable alternatives.
Several brands received a top rating for the Palm Oil Free criterion, meaning that none of their products contain palm oil. By removing palm oil from their ingredients list altogether, these brands are ensuring that there is no risk of sourcing palm oil from suppliers involved in deforestation or human rights abuses. The palm oil free brands in our research are Candy Kittens, Free From Fellows, Jealous Sweets, Just Wholefoods, Mallow & Marsh and YUMMA.
Additionally, many ethical sweets brands have removed gelatine from their products, making them completely plant based. This not only ensures no animal cruelty is involved in producing their sweets, but it also means the products are suitable for vegetarians and vegans! Free From Fellows, Jealous Sweets and Just Wholefoods are just some examples of brands offering vegan sweets. The good news is that all three of these brands are palm oil free as well, which means you can avoid both controversial ingredients in one go!
We hope that this article has helped you identify some ethical and sustainable alternatives to your favourite sweets. For more details on the specific scores achieved by each brand, check out our full Sweets Ethical Comparison Table.
The Good Shopping Guide has researched some of the world’s most popular sweets brands. Click on any brand name for a full breakdown of its score, as well as our own analysis.
Free From Fellows, Jealous Sweets, Biona, Candy Kittens, Just Wholefoods, YUMMA, BEAR, Mallow & Marsh, Tasty Mates, PEZ, Drumsticks, Refreshers, Jelly Beans by Jelly Belly, Werther’s, Chupa Chups, Fruit-tella, Haribo, MAOAM, mentos, Percy Pig, Tic Tac, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Starbursts, Fruit Pastilles, Jelly Babies, Jelly Tots, Liquorice Allsorts, POLO, Trebor, Wine Gums
Why is palm oil a concern in sweets?
Palm oil is a common ingredient in many popular sweets, used to create their characteristic chewy texture. However, its production has driven widespread deforestation across Southeast Asia and South America, destroying habitats for endangered species and displacing indigenous communities. Palm oil plantations now cover an area the size of New Zealand. Choosing brands from The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table that are palm-oil-free helps reduce this harm.
What is gelatine and why is it an ethical concern in sweets?
Gelatine is derived from animal skin and bones and is widely used in sweets to create a chewy, gummy texture. As an animal-derived ingredient, it raises questions about the welfare of the animals involved and also renders many sweets unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans. Fortunately, plant-based alternatives to gelatine exist, and several ethical sweets brands have removed it entirely, offering inclusive and cruelty-free options.
Which sweets brands are the least ethical?
The GOOD Shopping Guide’s research found that brands owned by Nestle, Mondelez, and Mars received the lowest scores in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. Well-known products such as Jelly Babies, Wine Gums, Fruit Pastilles, Skittles, and Starbursts all scored poorly. All three parent companies have faced repeated criticism for sourcing palm oil from producers linked to the illegal clearing of protected rainforests and violations of indigenous land rights.
Which sweets brands offer vegan and palm-oil-free options?
Several brands have sought to address the ethical issues within the sweets sector. Free From Fellows, Jealous Sweets, and Just Wholefoods are examples of brands offering products that are both vegan and palm-oil-free. The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table makes it easy to identify brands that have achieved strong ratings across these and other ethical criteria, so you can find the most responsible option.
What are the ethical concerns with Haribo?
Haribo, one of the world’s most recognised sweets brands, receives a poor score in The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand scores poorly for environmental reporting, indicating insufficient sustainability policies, and also falls short on vegetarian and vegan verification, as many of its products contain gelatine. Conscientious consumers may wish to consider more ethical alternatives when buying sweets for themselves or their families.
How can I find ethical sweets to buy?
The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table allows you to compare a wide range of brands across key ethical criteria, including palm oil sourcing, animal welfare, and environmental reporting. We recommend selecting brands from the green section of the table. Brands holding Ethical Accreditation, such as Free From Fellows, have been independently assessed to the highest standard and offer a reliable choice for conscious consumers.
Is Free From Fellows an ethical Sweets brand?
Free From Fellows sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well across all assessed areas, including environmental reporting, animal welfare, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification. Holding Ethical Accreditation demonstrates Free From Fellows’ commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, while its Ethical Innovator Status reflects a pioneering approach to responsible confectionery.
Is Jealous Sweets an ethical Sweets brand?
Jealous Sweets sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental reporting, animal welfare, and palm oil sourcing, though falls short on vegetarian and vegan verification. If Jealous Sweets were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to a wider audience of conscientious consumers.
Is Panda Licorice an ethical Sweets brand?
Panda Licorice sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental reporting, animal welfare, genetic modification, and palm oil sourcing, though it falls short on vegetarian and vegan verification. If Panda Licorice were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Biona an ethical Sweets brand?
Biona sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental reporting, animal welfare, and fossil fuels, though it falls short on palm oil sourcing and vegetarian and vegan verification. If Biona were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices across its product range.
Is Just Wholefoods an ethical Sweets brand?
Just Wholefoods sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in animal welfare, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification, though it falls short in environmental reporting and has room for improvement in its genetic modification policy. If Just Wholefoods were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical business practices.
Is YUMMA an ethical Sweets brand?
YUMMA sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in animal welfare, palm oil sourcing, and fossil fuels, though it falls short on vegetarian and vegan verification and has room for improvement in environmental reporting. If YUMMA were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is BEAR an ethical Sweets brand?
BEAR sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental reporting, animal welfare, genetic modification, and fossil fuels, though it falls short on palm oil sourcing and vegetarian and vegan verification. If BEAR were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Drumsticks an ethical Sweets brand?
Drumsticks sits at the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in animal welfare, fossil fuels, and environmental reporting, though it falls short on palm oil sourcing and vegetarian and vegan verification and has room for improvement in its genetic modification policy. If Drumsticks were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to responsible business.
Is Mallow & Marsh an ethical Sweets brand?
Mallow & Marsh sits at the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in animal welfare, fossil fuels, and palm oil sourcing, though it falls short in environmental reporting and vegetarian and vegan verification. If Mallow & Marsh were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Refreshers an ethical Sweets brand?
Refreshers sits at the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in animal welfare, fossil fuels, and environmental reporting, though it falls short on palm oil sourcing and vegetarian and vegan verification and has room for improvement in its genetic modification policy. If Refreshers were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to responsible business.
Is PEZ an ethical Sweets brand?
PEZ sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in fossil fuels and animal welfare, it falls short in environmental reporting and palm oil sourcing, and does not offer vegetarian or vegan-verified products. Consumers seeking sweets brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find better-rated alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Candy Kittens an ethical Sweets brand?
Candy Kittens sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting and fossil fuels, it falls short on palm oil sourcing and vegetarian and vegan verification, and has attracted some public record concerns. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Werther's an ethical Sweets brand?
Werther’s sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting, fossil fuels, and genetic modification, it falls short in animal welfare, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Jelly Beans by Jelly Belly an ethical Sweets brand?
Jelly Beans by Jelly Belly sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in animal welfare and fossil fuels, it falls short in environmental reporting, political donations, and vegetarian and vegan verification. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Chupa Chups an ethical Sweets brand?
Chupa Chups sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several areas, including genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Fruit-tella an ethical Sweets brand?
Fruit-tella sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several areas, including genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Tic Tac an ethical Sweets brand?
Tic Tac sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several areas, including genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification, and has attracted public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is mentos an ethical Sweets brand?
mentos sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several key areas, including genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Haribo an ethical Sweets brand?
Haribo sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple areas, including environmental reporting, animal welfare, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification, and has attracted public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is MAOAM an ethical Sweets brand?
MAOAM sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple areas, including environmental reporting, animal welfare, palm oil sourcing, and vegetarian and vegan verification, and has attracted public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Skittles an ethical Sweets brand?
Skittles sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well on vegetarian and vegan verification, it falls short in animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Sour Patch Kids an ethical Sweets brand?
Sour Patch Kids sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. While it performs well on vegetarian and vegan verification, the brand falls short in animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Starburst an ethical Sweets brand?
Starburst sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well on vegetarian and vegan verification, it falls short in animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Fruit Pastilles an ethical Sweets brand?
Fruit Pastilles sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple key areas, including animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Jelly Babies an ethical Sweets brand?
Jelly Babies sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple key areas, including animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Jelly Tots an ethical Sweets brand?
Jelly Tots sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple key areas, including animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Liquorice Allsorts an ethical Sweets brand?
Liquorice Allsorts sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple key areas, including animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is POLO an ethical Sweets brand?
POLO sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple key areas, including animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Trebor an ethical Sweets brand?
Trebor sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple key areas, including animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Wine Gums an ethical Sweets brand?
Wine Gums sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Sweets Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple key areas, including animal welfare, genetic modification, palm oil sourcing, and political donations, and has attracted notable public record criticisms. Consumers seeking brands that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Sweets Ethical Ratings Table.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.