Strepsils

How ethical and sustainable is Strepsils?

Strepsils is included in The Good Shopping Guide‘s Cold Remedies Ethical Ratings Table. We have hope that Strepsils will eventually change for the better and conduct itself ethically, even though the company hasn’t yet met our standards of ethics. Strepsils may be able to increase customer trust by applying for Ethical Accreditation, which would involve a more extensive assessment and recommendations for ethical development.

Are you interested in seeing how Soothers rates against other brands within the Ethical Cold Remedies sector? Visit the Cold Remedies Ethical Ratings Table. From The Good Shopping Guide’s Ratings Tables, you can learn more about the criteria that our top-rated brands have fulfilled.

What does Strepsils do?

Strepsils is the most sold sore throat medicine in the world, the brand produces throat lozenges that relieve dryness and pain. The  anti-inflammatory lozenges help fight through cold and flu symptoms. Strepsils sells a range of different flavours such as Honey & Lemon and Blackcurrant to tackle different kinds of sore throat.

For which criteria does Strepsils perform poorly? 

Strepsils received a low rating for Organic products, Animal Welfare and Vegan products. The parent company of the brand, Reckitt Benckiser, claims that animal testing is done in places where it is required by law. The business makes an effort to use as few animals as possible and only collaborates with facilities that have been accredited and carefully abide by animal welfare laws. The parent company of the cold and flu providers also received a moderate rating for political donations due to its most recent contributions of more than $40k to US political campaigns.

Past Criticisms of Strepsils’s ethical record

Strepsils faced criticism as Karex, a supplier of condoms to the NHS and a number of high-end British retailers such as Reikitt Benckiser, has been charged with maintaining inadequate working conditions in its Malaysian factory. 22 factory workers from Nepal and Bangladesh who were interviewed by The Telegraph claimed they were living in claustrophobic and degrading conditions, including sleeping in mouldy and dirty dormitories.

In what areas does Strepsils score well for its ethics?

Strepsils receives a high score for its Environmental Report, Genetic modification policy, Nuclear Power, Armaments and Irresponsible Marketing. Reckitt Benckiser’s sustainability insights report specifies several targets, including being carbon neutral, halving water consumption, and reducing energy use, and shows how well the company is doing in fulfilling these goals.

How can Strepsils 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.

Strepsils might apply for Ethical Accreditation for more detailed guidance on how to improve. Strepsils may improve its grade and meet our fundamental ethical requirements by ceasing all animal experiments and any political donations for the company.

Are you curious about how obtaining Ethical Accreditation could be beneficial for your brand? Accredited brands can display The Good Shopping Guide mark, showcasing to consumers that it can be trusted as an ethical and sustainable brand. Visit our Ratings Tables to learn about which brands within the Ethical Cold Remedies sector have been awarded with our ethical certification.

Would you like more information? Please get in touch or fill out a Free Initial Assessment form.