Ethical & Fairtrade Biscuits
Which biscuit brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Biscuits Ratings Table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
What are the ethical issues associated with biscuits?
It’s probably safe to say that most of us can’t resist a biscuit. But what makes a biscuit brand ethical? As with the production of anything, biscuit brands can be involved in unethical production practices. This could be through direct practices or unethical sourcing of ingredients. Many of the problems relating to the ethics of ethical biscuit brands in the UK pertain to choices of ingredients and overlap with the chocolate industry. (Check out our Ethical Chocolate brands article here). This is due to the myriad of issues involved with sourcing ingredients such as chocolate, cocoa sourcing, and sugar. Overall, this makes choosing biscuit brands an ethical minefield of issues for consumers. The GOOD Shopping Guide has been independently researching and rating brands on their ethical and sustainability credentials since 2001. To find out more about how our research works, visit our History of Ethical Shopping page.
Our research into biscuit brands
Luckily, our independent research exists to empower shoppers to confidently make the right brand choices. One prominent example of an unethical brand choice includes Ferrero SpA, the parent company group of various biscuit brands such as Fox’s, Maryland, and Jammie Dodgers. These brands have been accused of using ingredients sourced through child labour and worker exploitation. The UK’s Modern Slavery Act requires larger businesses to report on steps taken to address forced and child labour in their supply chains, a framework that applies directly to the biscuit supply chain. Our research found that of all the biscuit brands analysed, less than 1 in 5 biscuit brands held Fairtrade certification, which helps ensure they are not involved in the practices mentioned above. The Fairtrade Foundation works specifically to improve conditions for cocoa and sugar farmers, the very ingredients at the heart of the biscuit industry’s ethical challenges.
Alongside the physical and financial exploitation, the ethical issues associated with biscuit brands extend to other areas covered by our Environment, Animals and People criteria. This means that these brands do not have a published Environmental Report. These brands do not calculate the subsequent environmental impact of their activities. Additionally, biscuit brands are associated with further problematic issues such as the use of palm oil, a commodity linked to deforestation and habitat destruction, as well as accusations of animal cruelty and even financial support of armaments. Choosing palm oil free biscuits, or brands that use RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, is one practical step consumers can take.
The scores in our Ethical Biscuits Ratings Table tell a clear story. The gap between the highest and lowest-rated brands is significant, with the best performers demonstrating that it is possible to produce popular biscuits responsibly, using certified ingredients and transparent supply chains. The worst performers fall short across multiple criteria simultaneously. The data makes the choice straightforward.
How to choose ethical biscuits
With this in mind, your choice of afternoon snack may be responsible for funding deforestation, child labour or supplying weapons to war efforts. But by switching your choice of biscuit brands to Fairtrade biscuits or organic biscuits, you can avoid problematic production practices and make your treat that much sweeter, knowing it is an ethical choice. Looking for vegan biscuits? Many of the top-rated brands in our Ethical Biscuits Ratings Table are also vegan-friendly. Look for the Vegetarian and Vegan criteria in the table.
With consumers demanding more Fairtrade and organic choices, many biscuit brands have both taken note and action. Organic biscuits, those certified by the Soil Association or another recognised body, are produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, offering a higher environmental standard than conventional alternatives. Our independent research has found that of all biscuit brands researched, over a quarter pass The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark. This can be seen in our Ethical Biscuits Ratings Table. We recommend you use the information in our table when comparing biscuit brands on ethics. Choose from any of the companies shown in green. Signal to retailers that you want more choices of ethical biscuits.
When shopping for sustainable biscuits, a few simple checks go a long way. Look for Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certification on the pack, which indicates that key ingredients such as cocoa and sugar have been sourced to higher labour and environmental standards. Check for organic certification if pesticide-free ingredients matter to you. And consult our Ethical Chocolate comparison table, since many of the same parent companies appear across both categories and a brand’s performance on chocolate is often a reliable indicator of its broader ethical approach.
One of our top picks is accredited company The Biskery, which offers personalised biscuits to be ordered by post in the UK. The company has achieved a top-rating score and full Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide, signalling its status as a sustainable company.
See our Ethical Biscuits Ratings Table to compare brands.
Our research team has written in-depth reports on the biggest biscuit brands. Click on a brand name to read exclusive research from The Good Shopping Guide, and see how each brand considers the Environment, Animals and People.
The Biskery, Doves Farm, Lotus Biscoff, Elizabeth Shaw, Bahlsen, Nairn’s, Walker’s Shortbread, Hill, Biscuiteers, Border Biscuits, Cartwright & Butler, Fox’s, Jammie Dodgers, Lyons, Maryland, Siro, Wagon Wheel, Cadbury, Mikado, Oreo, Tunnock’s, Galaxy, McVities, Prewetts, and Weight Watchers.
What ethical concerns should consumers consider when buying biscuits?
Biscuits may seem simple, but ethical issues include the use of palm oil (linked to deforestation and biodiversity loss), sugar sourcing, use of genetically modified (GM) ingredients, and how transparent brands are about their environmental, animal‑welfare and social policies. Many mainstream brands do not publish strong sustainability commitments, meaning their products can have hidden ethical impacts.
How does palm oil affect the ethics of biscuit production?
Palm oil is widely used in biscuits as a cheap fat, but its production is a major driver of deforestation, habitat destruction and greenhouse gas emissions in tropical regions. Ethical consumers often look for biscuits made without palm oil or with sustainably sourced palm oil (e.g., RSPO‑certified) to reduce these environmental harms.
What role do certifications like organic or vegetarian/vegan play in biscuit ethics?
Certifications help signal ethical and sustainability standards. Organic biscuits avoid synthetic pesticides and GM ingredients, which benefits ecosystems and reduces chemical residues. Vegetarian or vegan certification confirms no animal products are used. These labels provide clearer evidence of ethical practice compared with vague marketing claims that aren’t independently verified.
Which biscuit brands score well on ethical and sustainability criteria?
Brands such as Fox’s (with vegetarian/vegan and some palm‑oil policies), ALDI Specially Selected, Belvita, M&S and Waitrose Duchy Organic tend to score higher in ethical ratings because they perform reasonably on environmental reporting, avoid or responsibly source palm oil, and have stronger commitments on GM and transparency.
Why do some popular biscuit brands score poorly on ethical ratings?
Many mainstream brands score below benchmarks because they use palm oil without clear sustainable sourcing policies, lack transparency about ingredients (such as GM status), and have limited public environmental or social responsibility policies. Some are also owned by parent companies with weak ethical reputations.
How can consumers make more ethical biscuit choices?
To make more ethical decisions, look for palm‑oil‑free biscu its or those with robust sustainable sourcing, check for organic and vegetarian/vegan certifications, and research whether a brand publicly shares environmental reports. These steps help reduce environmental harm and support better agricultural and corporate practices.
Is Mr Organic an ethical biscuits brand?
Mr Organic sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and is considered an ethical biscuits brand. It performs well in areas such as environmental reporting, non‑GMO and organic criteria, and vegetarian/vegan verification, although it has not yet achieved Ethical Accreditation. Mr Organic has been recognised with Ethical Innovator Status for its clear environmental and organic focus, demonstrating strong ethical practices.
Is Island Bakery an ethical biscuits brand?
Island Bakery sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, making it an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs strongly in environmental reporting, non‑GMO and organic criteria and palm oil‑free commitments, though it falls short in vegetarian/vegan verification. It has not yet achieved Ethical Accreditation; however, its Ethical Innovator Status reflects a clear dedication to sustainable and ethical practices.
Is Rhythm 108 an ethical biscuits brand?
Rhythm 108 sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, indicating it is considered an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs well in environmental reporting, organic and non‑GMO criteria and palm oil‑free commitments, although it falls short in vegetarian/vegan verification. It has not achieved Ethical Accreditation, but its Ethical Innovator Status reflects a clear commitment to more ethical and sustainable practices.
Is The Biskery an ethical biscuits brand?
The Biskery sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and is recognised as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs well in environmental reporting, animal welfare and people criteria, and has achieved Ethical Accreditation and Ethical Innovator Status, underlining its commitment to sustainable business practices. This achievement also places The Biskery on the Top 200 Ethical Businesses list.
Is Doves Farm an ethical biscuits brand?
Doves Farm sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, so it is considered an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs well in organic, non‑GMO and vegetarian/vegan areas, though it could improve in some environmental metrics. It has not yet achieved Ethical Accreditation; if it pursued this, it could further demonstrate its dedication to ethical, sustainable business practices.
Is Biscuiteers an ethical biscuits brand?
Biscuiteers sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and is regarded as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs well in areas such as environmental reporting and palm oil‑free criteria, though it falls short in organic and vegetarian/vegan verification and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. If Biscuiteers pursued ethical accreditation, that could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices.
Is Nairn’s an ethical biscuits brand?
Nairn’s sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, so it is considered an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs well in areas such as environmental reporting and organic certification, although it falls short in palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan verification. It has not yet achieved Ethical Accreditation; if it pursued this, it could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices.
Is Walker’s Shortbread an ethical biscuits brand?
Walker’s Shortbread sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and is considered an ethical biscuits brand. It performs well in areas such as genetic modification transparency, animal welfare and public record criteria, although it falls short in organic and palm oil‑free criteria. It has not achieved Ethical Accreditation; if it did, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices.
Is Lotus Biscoff an ethical biscuits brand?
Lotus Biscoff sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, indicating it is considered an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs well in areas like environmental reporting and non‑GMO transparency, although it falls short in organic and palm oil‑free criteria. It has not yet achieved Ethical Accreditation; if it pursued this, it could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices.
Is Cartwright & Butler an ethical biscuits brand?
Cartwright & Butler sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, making it an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs well in environmental reporting and several ethical criteria, though it falls short in areas such as organic and vegetarian/vegan verification. It has not achieved Ethical Accreditation, and readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Elizabeth Shaw an ethical biscuits brand?
Elizabeth Shaw sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, meaning it is considered an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs well in vegetarian/vegan and animal welfare areas, although it falls short in environmental reporting and organic criteria, and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Hill an ethical biscuits brand?
Hill sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, meaning it is considered an ethical biscuits brand overall. It performs well in vegetarian/vegan and animal welfare criteria, though it falls short in environmental reporting, organic and palm‑free areas. It has not achieved Ethical Accreditation, so readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Border Biscuits an ethical biscuits brand?
Border Biscuits sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, indicating it does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs well in areas such as genetic modification transparency, animal welfare and public record criteria, although it falls short in organic and palm oil‑free verification. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Bahlsen an ethical biscuits brand?
Bahlsen sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as animal welfare and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in environmental reporting, organic and palm oil‑free criteria. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is McVities an ethical biscuits brand?
McVities sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table, so it does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. While it performs well in environmental reporting and non‑GMO transparency, it falls short in areas like organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan criteria, and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Tunnock’s an ethical biscuits brand?
Tunnock’s sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as animal welfare, nuclear power and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in environmental reporting, organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan verification. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Prewetts an ethical biscuits brand?
Prewetts sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs well in areas like environmental reporting and genetic modification transparency but falls short in organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan criteria. Readers who want brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Fox’s an ethical biscuits brand?
Fox’s sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as animal welfare and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in environmental reporting, organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan criteria. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Jammie Dodgers an ethical biscuits brand?
Jammie Dodgers sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as environmental reporting and nuclear and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in GMO, organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan verification and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Lyons an ethical biscuits brand?
Lyons sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as animal welfare and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in environmental reporting, organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan verification. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Maryland an ethical biscuits brand?
Maryland sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as environmental reporting and nuclear and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan verification and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Wagon Wheel an ethical biscuits brand?
Wagon Wheel sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as environmental reporting and nuclear and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan verification. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Galaxy Biscuits an ethical biscuits brand?
Galaxy Biscuits sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as environmental reporting and nuclear and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in organic, palm oil‑free and vegetarian/vegan verification and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Cadbury an ethical biscuits brand?
Cadbury sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas like environmental reporting, nuclear power and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in genetic modification, organic, animal welfare and other key areas, and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Mikado an ethical biscuits brand?
Mikado sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. It performs positively in areas such as environmental reporting and fossil fuels criteria, but falls short in organic, genetic modification, animal welfare and vegetarian/vegan verification, and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
Is Oreo an ethical biscuits brand?
Oreo sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table and therefore does not currently qualify as an ethical biscuits brand. Although it performs positively in areas like environmental reporting and certain energy‑related criteria, it falls short in genetic modification, organic, animal welfare and other key metrics and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation. Readers seeking brands above the ethical benchmark can consult the Biscuits Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑rated options.
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.