The Spice Tailor

How ethical is The Spice Tailor?

The Spice Tailor is an Indian curry kit brand owned by Premier Foods plc which has not achieved The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark on our Ethical Recipe Boxes Ratings Table and therefore cannot be classed as an ethical company based on its current practices and policies.

Companies that fall below the benchmark often demonstrate insufficient commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices across key areas. We recommend consumers read more about ethical issues in the recipe box sector and consult our Ethical Recipe Boxes Ratings Table to find companies above the benchmark with Ethical Accreditation.

What does The Spice Tailor do?

The Spice Tailor is a UK-based Indian curry kit brand founded by television chef and cookbook author Anjum Anand and her husband Adarsh Sethia. The company produces authentic Indian meal kits containing pre-measured spices and sauces in individual pouches designed to create restaurant-quality curries in approximately 10 minutes. The Spice Tailor offers 27 products including butter chicken, tikka masala, korma, and rogan josh varieties, sold across major UK supermarkets as well as in Australia and Canada. The brand grew to £17 million in annual sales before being acquired by Premier Foods plc in 2022.

Why does The Spice Tailor fail to meet the benchmark?

The Spice Tailor’s below-benchmark performance stems primarily from serious public record criticisms of its parent company Premier Foods plc, alongside gaps in genetic modification policies, organic certification, and the absence of independent ethical verification.

The most significant concern involves Premier Foods’ controversial “pay and stay” supplier practices. In December 2014, BBC Newsnight revealed that Premier Foods had demanded millions of pounds in payments from suppliers through a scheme requiring them to make “investment payments” to continue doing business with the company. Suppliers who refused to pay faced being “nominated for de-list,” effectively losing their contracts. One supplier described the practice as “blackmail,” while the Federation of Small Businesses stated Premier Foods “should be ashamed of themselves,” calling it “downright unfair” and noting the company was “demanding a cash gift under the threat of delisting.” The scheme, which Premier Foods defended as legal under competition law, drew widespread condemnation from MPs, industry bodies, and small businesses. While the company later modified the programme following public outcry, these practices contribute to The Spice Tailor’s bottom rating for public record criticisms.

The Spice Tailor also receives a bottom rating for genetic modification practices. The company has not demonstrated comprehensive policies against the use of genetically modified ingredients in its products. In the food sector where consumers increasingly demand transparency about GMO usage, the absence of clear GMO-free commitments or third-party verification represents a significant gap in ethical standards.

The brand also receives a bottom rating for organic certification. The Spice Tailor has not achieved independent organic certification for its ingredients. The UK household food waste sector faces significant challenges, and while meal kits can help reduce waste through portioned ingredients, ethical sourcing practices remain essential. Organic certification demonstrates commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship that The Spice Tailor has not established.

Similarly, while The Spice Tailor offers vegetarian-friendly options across its range, these products lack independent certification or verification from recognised bodies. Without third-party validation, consumers cannot be assured these offerings meet the highest standards for plant-based food provision. The company also lacks Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide, which would provide independent verification of its ethical practices and policies across all business operations.

What does The Spice Tailor do well?

Despite these serious concerns, The Spice Tailor demonstrates strong performance in several areas through its parent company Premier Foods. The company maintains good environmental reporting practices through Premier Foods’ sustainability disclosures. The Spice Tailor avoids involvement in the fossil fuels industry, nuclear power, and armaments, receiving top scores in these categories. The company also performs well regarding animal welfare standards and political donations.

What can The Spice Tailor do to improve?

The most urgent priority for The Spice Tailor is addressing the public record criticisms stemming from its parent company Premier Foods’ supplier practices. While the “pay and stay” controversy dates to 2014, prior to The Spice Tailor’s acquisition, the brand must ensure Premier Foods maintains ethical supplier relationships that respect fair business practices. The company should demonstrate transparent reporting on supplier relations and commit to treating all business partners with fairness and respect.

The Spice Tailor must address its bottom rating for genetic modification by implementing comprehensive GMO-free policies with independent verification. The company should commit to sourcing non-GMO ingredients and obtain third-party certification to provide consumers with confidence about ingredient sourcing practices.

The brand should also pursue independent organic certification for its ingredients, demonstrating commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. Achieving certified organic sourcing with third-party verification would significantly strengthen The Spice Tailor’s ethical profile in the meal kit sector. The Spice Tailor should also secure independent verification for all vegetarian product claims through recognised certification bodies, providing consumers with confidence that plant-based options meet the highest standards.

Consumers seeking ethical recipe box and curry kit options should consult companies above the benchmark on our Ethical Recipe Boxes Ratings Table, particularly those with Ethical Accreditation. Find out more about how we rate brands on ethical criteria.