Calpol

How ethical and sustainable is Calpol? 

Calpol is included in The Good Shopping Guide’s Pain Remedies Ethical Ratings Table. Calpol has not yet complied with our ethical criteria, but we are hopeful that it will in the future and grow into a business that upholds better standards. By pursuing Ethical Accreditation, which would involve a more thorough evaluation and suggestions for ethical development, Calpol might be able to boost customer confidence.

Do you want to see how Calpol compares against other popular brands within the Ethical Pain Remedies Sector? Visit the Pain Remedies Ethical Ratings Table.  The Good Shopping Guide’s Ratings Table can help you to find out more about the criteria that a brand has to fulfil to receive a top rating.

The Good Shopping Guide suggests that all brands follow the good example that has been set by our top-rated brands and adopt more ethical practices.

What does Calpol do?

Calpol was launched in 1959 and provides painkillers for children. Calpol produces a range of paracetamol and ibuprofen-based medicines. Calpol sells teething gel, cough syrup, congestion and pain and fever medication for a range of ages. Calpol is owned by Johnson & Johnson.

For which criteria does Calpol perform poorly? 

For Organic, Animal Welfare, Vegetarian/vegan, Irresponsible Marketing and Political Donations, Calpol received a bad score.

The brand’s parent firm, Johnson & Johnson, is listed in the PETA database of businesses that use animal testing. Despite having a strategy that strives to avoid using animals whenever possible, the company nonetheless uses animals in its research.

The company also frequently donates to political parties and candidates in the United States.

Past Criticisms of Calpol’s ethical record

The parent company of Calpol received a low rating in the supply chain procedures category of the Corporate Transparency Index. Additionally, more than 38,000 lawsuits were filed against Johnson & Johnson over claims that the company’s talc baby powder contained asbestos, a carcinogen.

In what areas does Calpol score well for its ethics?

Calpol receives high marks for its environmental report, policy regarding genetic manipulation, concerns regarding nuclear power, and armaments. The Johnson & Johnson “Health for Humanity” report includes a list of environmental accomplishments and goals for 2025.

How can Calpol improve its ethical rating?

The Ethical rating of a brand is divided into three categories by The Good Shopping Guide: the Environment, People and Animals. Find out more about how we rate.

By stopping all sorts of animal experimentation and political donations to ensure there are no affiliations with any parties or ideologies, Calpol may raise its rating and satisfy our fundamental ethical requirements.

Were you aware that your brand could benefit from Ethical Accreditation? Our accredited brands can proudly display The Good Shopping Guide mark, demonstrating to consumers that it is an ethical and sustainable brand. Our Ratings Table can show you which other brands within the Ethical Pain Remedies sector have been awarded with our ethics and sustainability certification.

Would you like to find out more? Please contact us or fill out a Free Initial Assessment form.