Koko

How ethical and sustainable is vegan milk brand, Koko? 

The Ethical Vegan Milk Ratings Table from The Good Shopping Guide lists Koko as a brand of plant-based milk. Koko does not currently meet our Ethical Benchmark and therefore is not classed as a good ethical brand at this point. However we hope that the brand will make the necessary improvements to be considered one of our ethical brands. This Ethical Score could be improved by applying for Ethical Accreditation, which would involve a more thorough evaluation and recommendations for ethical changes; Koko would also be able to increase consumer confidence.

For more information about the merits of organic milk and vegan milk, visit The Good Shopping Guide to Ethical Vegan Milk. You can also compare Koko to other brands in our table of Ethical Vegan Milk rankings.

What does Koko do?

Koko was started in 2010 and was the first UK company to make coconut-based dairy-free milk. The brand has now expanded to include not just vegan milk but also yoghurt alternatives, cheese and spread. Koko is owned by First Grade International.

For which criteria does Koko perform poorly? 

Koko receives a low rating for its Environmental Report and lack of Organic status. The brand’s parent company, First Grade International, has an ‘About’ page, but this only features certifications and does not specifically mention the company’s sustainability efforts or ethical aims. Koko’s sustainability page mentions the benefits of coconut milk as a dairy-free milk substitute, but this is fairly vague and not good enough for a brand of its size. The brand also does not have an Organic certification from an independent awarding body, and does not have an Organic range within its products.

In what areas does Koko score well for its ethics?

Koko receives a high rating for not investing in Fossil Fuels, Nuclear power issues, Animal Welfare and Public Record criticisms. On Koko’s website, you can find a non-GMO statement, which is encouraging to see.

How can Koko improve its ethical rating?

The Good Shopping Guide uses three research categories to calculate a brand’s Ethical Score: the Environment, People, and Animals. For more thorough ideas on how to improve its ethics and sustainability, Koko might file an application for Ethical Accreditation.

Koko could improve its score and become one of The Good Shopping Guide’s ethical brands by releasing an Environmental Report with targets for the businesses’ sustainability goals.

Why not look into The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation if you are associated with a vegan milk company? Our Ethical Mark, sustainability certification, and corporate ethics consulting have benefited hundreds of brands. Get in touch with us for more information about Ethical Accreditation for your vegan milk business, or complete our short form for a rapid evaluation of sustainability and ethics.