Vegan Pasta, Fairtrade Rice & Ethical Cupboard Staples
Which Pasta, Pulses & Rice brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Pasta, Pulses and Rice Ratings Table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
What is the impact of growing rice, pasta, pulses and other cupboard staples?
For the cupboard staples sector, all three of our criteria of Environment, Animals and People should be considered. There are lots of complex processes involved in your lasagne or chilli con carne, before it even reaches your table. Crops must be grown and harvested, transported, ingredients are processed (especially in the case of pasta), dehydrated, packaged and delivered to shops. If your purchase involves animal-derived ingredients then there are even more unethical and shady steps in the supply chain. (This is why you may want to opt for vegan pasta or similar…)
With this many production stages, it is critical to ensure that ethics are upheld throughout. This is why The Good Shopping Guide has delved into researching companies and brands, to help you shop more intentionally and conscientiously. Some of these changes can be as simple as making easy, small product swaps for more ethical options such as egg pasta for vegan pasta, which is widely available in most supermarkets. Check out our Ethical Pasta, Rice & Pulses Ratings Table to find out more about the best providers of cupboard staples.
Our independent research into pasta, rice and pulses
Genetically modified ingredients, pesticides linked to adverse health effects for both farmhands and consumers, and general worker exploitation: all of these are prevalent issues for the sector.
Happily though, our independent research analysis found that of the brands reviewed, 50% reached or surpassed The Good Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark. Hooray!
However, this does mean that 50% did not, with 31% having room for improvement and 19% qualifying as unethical.
Cupboard staples and the environment
Many companies consistently neglect or contribute to environmental issues. Some brands publish environmental reports that serve as greenwashing propaganda. These brands make claims that they are improving their sustainability efforts, but do not state how this will be achieved. Nor do these brands introduce quantifiable targets that allow for accountability.
Further to this, some companies have come to be actively associated with harming the environment. Examples of this include the likes of brands such as Seeds of Change and Ben’s Original (formerly known as Uncle Ben’s). These brands are both owned by Mars Inc., who has been associated with environmental destruction. One of the main criticisms is aimed at Mars Inc.’s use of palm oil. Mars Inc is associated with 20 of the 25 ‘dirty’ palm oil producers. They have repeatedly promised to remove conflict palm oil from its supply chain by 2015, yet still reportedly use palm oil sourced from the illegal clearing of protected rainforests.
Additionally, Mars Inc. has been involved in many other ethical scandals, including allegations of trafficking children for forced labour, scoring in the bottom tiers of animal welfare policy assessments for 8 consecutive years , and even self-confessing to using animal testing when not required by law. With this in mind, our findings advise opting for plant-based, cruelty-free alternatives where possible, such as vegan pasta, rice and grain options.
Vegan Pasta, Fairtrade Rice & Ethical Cupboard Staples
Which Pasta, Pulses & Rice brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Pasta, Pulses and Rice comparison table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
What is the impact of growing rice, pasta, pulses and other cupboard staples?
For the ethical store cupboard sector, all three of our criteria of Environment, Animals and People should be considered. There are lots of complex processes involved in your lasagne or chilli con carne, before it even reaches your table. Crops must be grown and harvested, transported, ingredients are processed (especially in the case of pasta), dehydrated, packaged and delivered to shops. If your purchase involves animal-derived ingredients then there are even more unethical and shady steps in the supply chain. (This is why you may want to opt for vegan pasta or similar…)
With this many production stages, it is critical to ensure that ethics are upheld throughout. This is why The Good Shopping Guide has delved into researching companies and brands, to help you shop more intentionally and conscientiously. Since 2001, The Good Shopping Guide has been independently rating brands on ethical criteria, making our comparison tables one of the most trusted resources available to UK consumers seeking ethical food products. Some of these changes can be as simple as making easy, small product swaps for more ethical options such as egg pasta for vegan pasta, which is widely available in most supermarkets. Check out our Ethical Pasta, Rice & Pulses comparison table to find out more about the most ethical pasta brands UK consumers can choose from, as well as the best sustainable rice brands and organic pulses available.
Growing consumer awareness around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is also reshaping how people think about store cupboard staples. Many conventional pasta, pulse and rice products involve significant industrial processing, extensive food miles, and supply chains with limited transparency. Choosing brands that minimise processing, source ingredients locally or regionally where possible, and publish credible environmental commitments is one of the most impactful steps shoppers can take to reduce the carbon footprint of their food.
Our independent research into pasta, rice and pulses
Genetically modified ingredients, pesticides linked to adverse health effects for both farmhands and consumers, and general worker exploitation: all of these are prevalent issues for the sector.
Happily though, our independent research analysis found that of the brands reviewed, 50% reached or surpassed The Good Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark. Hooray!
However, this does mean that 50% did not, with 31% having room for improvement and 19% qualifying as unethical.
An emerging consideration in the sector is regenerative agriculture — a set of farming practices that go beyond simply avoiding harm, actively working to restore soil health, increase biodiversity and sequester carbon. A small but growing number of grain and pulse producers are beginning to adopt regenerative methods, and The Good Shopping Guide will continue to monitor and reflect these developments in our Ethical Pasta, Pulses and Rice comparison table as the sector evolves.
Cupboard staples and the environment
Many companies consistently neglect or contribute to environmental issues. Some brands publish environmental reports that serve as greenwashing propaganda. These brands make claims that they are improving their sustainability efforts, but do not state how this will be achieved. Nor do these brands introduce quantifiable targets that allow for accountability.
Further to this, some companies have come to be actively associated with harming the environment. Examples of this include the likes of brands such as Seeds of Change and Ben’s Original (formerly known as Uncle Ben’s). These brands are both owned by Mars Inc., who has been associated with environmental destruction. One of the main criticisms is aimed at Mars Inc.’s use of palm oil — an ingredient also scrutinised in our Ethical Cooking Oil comparison table. Mars Inc is associated with 20 of the 25 ‘dirty’ palm oil producers as identified by Greenpeace. The WWF UK and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) have both highlighted the need for greater accountability in palm oil supply chains. They have repeatedly promised to remove conflict palm oil from its supply chain by 2015, yet still reportedly use palm oil sourced from the illegal clearing of protected rainforests.
Additionally, Mars Inc. has been involved in many other ethical scandals, including allegations of trafficking children for forced labour — issues also relevant to our Ethical Chocolate comparison table — scoring in the bottom tiers of animal welfare policy assessments for 8 consecutive years, and even self-confessing to using animal testing when not required by law. With this in mind, our findings advise opting for palm oil free, plant-based, cruelty-free alternatives where possible, such as vegan pasta, rice and grain options. If you are broadening your ethical store cupboard choices, you may also find our Ethical Breakfast Cereal comparison table and Ethical Biscuits comparison table useful for identifying the best brands across other everyday staples.
Fairtrade rice
When looking for ethical food brands and sustainable food shopping options, we recommend firstly ensuring that the brand scores on our table for Fairtrade compliance. The Fairtrade Foundation is the UK’s leading Fairtrade certification body, and its mark is one of the most reliable indicators that workers in developing countries have been paid fairly and treated with dignity. With so many crops grown abroad, the supply chain and workers involved can get long. Standards go unchecked, particularly with rice. Check that it is definitely Fairtrade rice that you are buying. Fairtrade farms are monitored to promote fair working conditions.
Worker rights in agricultural supply chains remain a significant concern flagged by NGOs and the Food Standards Agency; buying Fairtrade and ethically accredited brands is one of the most direct ways consumers can support fair pay and safe conditions for the people who grow our food.
Vegan pasta
Buy vegan foods where possible. Due to the environmental impact and adverse animal welfare conditions, a wide variety of palm oil free vegan pasta products are now available. We recommend purchasing vegan pasta rather than egg-based pasta, due to animal welfare and sustainability considerations. When choosing organic pulses, UK consumers can find an increasing range in major supermarkets and health food shops — look for the Soil Association organic certification mark as a trustworthy indicator of ethical and sustainable production. For a wider range of plant-based options beyond pasta, our Ethical Vegan & Vegetarian Foods comparison table covers many of the leading brands across this growing sector.
Sustainable packaging is another factor worth considering when choosing your store cupboard staples. Some of the most ethical brands in this sector are moving towards recyclable, compostable or minimal packaging, reducing the environmental impact of their products further. When assessing brands in our comparison tables, The Good Shopping Guide considers packaging practices as part of our broader environmental criteria.
We recommend reading our full Ethical Pasta, Rice & Pulses comparison table for more information about the best and worst cupboard staples, with Fairtrade rice and vegan pasta being easy ethical swaps to start with. Brands that carry our Ethical Accreditation have been independently verified as meeting The Good Shopping Guide’s rigorous ethical standards — look out for our logo when making your choices.
See our Ethical Pasta, Pulses and Rice comparison table to compare brands
Why should someone consider ethics when choosing pasta, pulses or rice, even though these are basic foods?
Even staple foods like pasta, pulses and rice have ethical and environmental implications. Farming these crops often involves high pesticide use, heavy irrigation water demand, and large‑scale monoculture, all of which can harm soil health, local ecosystems and biodiversity. Consumers who care about sustainability look at pesticide avoidance, organic certification and how transparent companies are about sourcing.
What role does organic certification play in the ethics of pasta, pulses and rice?
Organic certification means the products are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, which protects soil and water systems and reduces chemical exposure for farm workers. Organic agriculture also supports healthier biodiversity and can improve long‑term soil fertility, making organic pasta, pulses and rice better for the environment than conventional, chemically intensive alternatives.
How do environmental and social policies influence ethical ratings of these foods?
Brands that publish transparent environmental reports and clearly outline their sourcing and sustainability commitments tend to score better ethically. These policies show how companies manage climate impacts, water use and supplier practices. If a brand lacks public reporting or meaningful sustainability goals, its ethical rating is often lower, even if its ingredients seem simple.
Which pasta, pulses and rice brands tend to score higher on ethical and sustainability criteria?
Brands such as Biona Organic, Clearspring, Maldon, Mornflake, Seeds of Change and Tilda often receive higher ethical scores. These products generally perform well on environmental reporting, use organic or responsibly farmed grains and pulses, and have stronger overall commitments to transparency compared with many mainstream alternatives.
Why do some well‑known brands score below ethical benchmarks?
Several familiar brands score lower because they rely on conventional farming methods (including GM crops and pesticides), lack organic certification, and have limited transparency or public sustainability reports. Many mainstream companies also don’t publish detailed supply chain policies or commitments to reduce climate impact, which pulls down their ethical scores.
What practical steps can consumers take to make more ethical choices with pasta, pulses and rice?
To make more ethical choices, look for products with organic certification, check for brands that publish environmental policies, and avoid items where the ingredient sourcing is unclear or linked to intensive pesticide use. Choosing whole‑grain, minimally processed options also supports better nutritional outcomes and may correlate with more responsible production practices.
Is Mangia! an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Mangia! sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, performing strongly across all key categories including environment, animal welfare and people, with no significant negative marks and earning placement on the Top 200 Ethical Businesses list. It also holds Ethical Accreditation and Ethical Innovator Status, demonstrating a robust commitment to ethical and sustainable practices through independent verification and ongoing review.
Is BioFair an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
BioFair sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is regarded as ethical given strong performance in areas such as environmental impact, animal welfare and people, although it currently lacks Ethical Accreditation. Its high placement and recognition for ethical innovation suggest it would further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices if it pursued formal Ethical Accreditation.
Is Biona an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Biona sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is considered an ethical brand, performing well across key areas including environment, animal welfare and people, though it has not yet obtained Ethical Accreditation; if it were to pursue formal Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices and provide independent validation of its strong ethical performance on the [Product Type] Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Crazy Jack an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Crazy Jack sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is considered an ethical brand, performing strongly in areas like environment, organic standards and people; it also earns Ethical Innovator Status, though it currently lacks formal Ethical Accreditation, and securing such accreditation could further underscore its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is JustIngredients an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
JustIngredients sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is considered ethical due to strong performance in areas such as environment, animal welfare and people; although it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation, its recognition for ethical innovation suggests that if it pursued Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Mr Organic an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Mr Organic sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is generally regarded as an ethical brand, performing particularly well in areas such as environmental impact, organic and GMO criteria and people; although it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation, it has earned Ethical Innovator Status and pursuing formal Ethical Accreditation could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Planet Organic an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Planet Organic sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is regarded as an ethical brand, performing strongly in areas such as environmental reporting, organic and GMO criteria and people; while it does not yet hold Ethical Accreditation, it has achieved Ethical Innovator Status, and if it pursued Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Suma an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Suma sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is viewed as an ethical brand due to solid performance in areas including environmental reporting, GMO policy, animal welfare and people; while it does not yet hold Ethical Accreditation, if it were to seek formal accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Bold Bean Co an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Bold Bean Co sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is generally regarded as an ethical brand, performing well in areas such as environmental reporting, organic criteria and people, although it currently lacks Ethical Accreditation; if it were to apply for Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is De Cecco an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
De Cecco sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is considered an ethical brand due to strong performance in areas such as GMO‑free and organic criteria, though its environmental reporting is more limited; it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation, and if it were to pursue such accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Gallo an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Gallo sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is regarded as an ethical brand, performing well in areas such as GMO policy, environmental reporting and people though its organic score is weaker; it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation, and if it were to pursue Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Pastificio Liguori an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Pastificio Liguori sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is widely considered an ethical brand, performing well in areas like organic criteria and animal welfare; it does not yet hold Ethical Accreditation, and if it were to pursue Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Garofalo an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Garofalo sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is considered an ethical brand with strong environmental reporting, organic credentials and good performance across most ethical criteria, although its GMO policy is middling; it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation, and if it pursued this formal recognition it could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Napolina an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Napolina sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is generally regarded as an ethical brand thanks to solid performance across key criteria such as environmental reporting, animal welfare and people, although organic credentials are weaker; it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation, and if it pursued formal Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Rummo an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Rummo sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table and is considered an ethical brand given good performance in areas like organic standards, fossil fuels, animal welfare and people, despite weaker environmental reporting; it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation, and if it pursued Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Veetee an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Veetee sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, with weaker performance in organic criteria and environmental reporting despite no significant negative marks in animal welfare or people categories; as it does not meet the ethical benchmark, readers interested in more ethical options can consult the guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table to find brands that reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Laila an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Laila sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, with weaker performance in areas like environmental reporting and organic criteria despite scoring well for fossil fuels, animal welfare and people; as it does not meet the ethical benchmark, readers can consult the Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table to identify brands that reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Merchant Gourmet an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Merchant Gourmet sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, with middling performance in GMO and organic criteria despite a strong environmental report and no major issues in animal welfare or people categories; as it does not meet the ethical benchmark, readers can consult the Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table to identify brands that reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Tilda an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Tilda sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, with weaker performance in areas such as organic criteria and GMO policy despite solid environmental reporting and no major issues in animal welfare or people; as it does not meet the ethical benchmark, readers can consult the Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table to identify brands that exceed the benchmark.
Is Barilla an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Barilla sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, with weaker performance in animal welfare and public record criticisms despite strengths in environmental reporting, GMO‑free and organic criteria; as it does not meet the ethical benchmark, readers can consult the Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table to identify brands that reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Cypressa an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Cypressa sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, with weaker performance in areas like organic credentials and animal welfare despite solid environmental reporting; as it does not meet the ethical benchmark, readers can consult the Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table to identify brands that reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Ben’s Original an ethical Pasta, Pulses & Rice brand?
Ben’s Original sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table, with weaker performance in areas such as GMO policy, organic criteria, animal welfare and political donations despite stronger environmental reporting; as it does not meet the ethical benchmark, readers can consult the Pasta, Pulses & Rice Ethical Ratings Table to identify brands that reach or exceed the benchmark.
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.