Key to symbols and guide to certification labels
This is the key to the symbols used against the businesses listed in the directory. The symbols indicate that a business, or at least one or more of the products it offers, matches the following descriptions:
ET = Ethically Traded – sourced direct, mainly from artisanal producers, at a fair price; sometimes referred to as ‘fair trade’ or fairly traded (no independent certification) or Direct Trade
FTM = Fairtrade - meets internationally agreed economic, social and environmental standards (independently certified) and carries the FAIRTRADE Mark
SS = Sustainably Sourced (or responsibly sourced) - not contributing to the depletion of rainforests or species- includes Rainforest Alliance, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
O = Organic or biodynamic – sustainably farmed without relying on chemicals
MF = Meat-Free (vegetarian, vegan or vegetarian and pescatarian)
LP = Offers Locally grown, locally designed or locally made Produce (in or around Crystal Palace)
LA = promotes Local Artists, artisans or professionals
N = Natural – mainly for cosmetics produced without the use of chemicals
RR = Recycled, Refurbished – vintage, second-hand or made from re-recycled or recyclable materials
AW = Animal welfare –free-range etc.
Guide to Certification Labels
The following offers insight into what some of the certification labels mean in relation to meat, eggs and dairy.
Organic
Standards vary between the different organisations that can give organic certification but they generally all focus on sustainability issues, including soil health and biodiversity. Animals reared organically must also be fed a diet free from genetically modified (GM) food.The Soil Association organic standard provides the highest welfare levels in the UK e.g. smaller flock sizes for chickens and no live exporting of dairy calves.
All organic chickens are free range. Organic chickens must not be fed more than 10% non-organic feed. They must spend two-thirds of their life outdoors. They are slaughtered at 10 weeks. Organic hens are also free-range, fed on organic food and raised on organic land. They have twice as much indoor space as standard free-range hens.
Organic pork that carries the Soil Association organic label must be reared outside and be allowed to root. Neither tail docking nor castration is allowed.
Free-range
For chickens, they must have access to outdoor conditions for at least half their life, living as natural a life as possible. In 2010, free-range did not have a limit to flock size, meaning that it is possible for stocking densities to be as high as standard birds. Free-range chickens are slaughtered at eight weeks.
For eggs, hens must have continuous daytime access to open-air runs that are mainly covered with vegetation or pasture. In the EU, every hen must be allowed at least 4 square metres of space.
Free-range pigs are born, reared and fattened outside, with some shelter for sleeping.
RSPCA Freedom Food
For chickens, no more than 15 indoor-reared chickens must be kept per square metre – the equivalent of a space 15 per cent bigger than an A4 piece of paper. They must be given better lighting and bales of straw, perches or even footballs to play with. Freedom Food chickens are slaughtered at seven weeks old.
Freedom Food pork can come from pigs that are reared indoors or outdoors. The label guarantees that they have solid bedding and that they haven’t been subjected to farrowing crates or castration.
Freedom Food is the RSPCA's labelling and assurance scheme dedicated to improving welfare standards for farm animals. The scheme covers both indoor and outdoor rearing systems and ensures that greater space and bedding material are provided.
For more details on RSPCA standards for dairy cows, see: http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232726216807&mode=prd
Outdoor bred pork
This means the pigs were born outside to non-confined sows and then brought inside for fattening after 4-6 weeks.
Outdoor reared pork
Outdoor reared pigs live outdoors for the majority of their lives. They are brought in eight weeks before slaughter to fatten up.
Red Tractor
This label means the bare minimum UK welfare standards are met. For pigs, farrowing crates – metal cages that prevent the mother pigs (sows) crushing their piglets by confining them in a narrow space – are allowed, as is tail docking to stop piglets biting each other. Pigs must be given materials such as straw to root around in.
The Red Tractor scheme, run by Assured Food Standards offers few welfare benefits compared with standard industry practice and generally only ensure compliance with minimum legislative requirements (the interpretation of which is considered inadequate in some cases).
The Lion Mark
The British Lion symbol means that the eggs are British-laid and have been vaccinated against salmonella but it can apply to cage eggs as well as eggs from alternative systems, so it is not a guarantee of higher welfare.
Cows and sheep
Neither beef nor lamb is graded to distinguish between free range or indoor reared as most British cattle and lambs are reared outside with access to pasture. Some do mark their meet as being ‘grass-fed’ or given ‘access to pasture’ just to make sure. The Soil Association’s organic status also insists on access to outdoor pasture.
*Sources: John Craven’s Countryfile Handbook (BBC Books, 2010), Compassion in World Farming, and RSPCA
Rainforest Alliance
Promotes sustainability and environmental standards but offers no guarantees regarding price to the farmer or working conditions
UTZ
Has a Code of Conduct but is weaker than Rainforest Alliance since they allow GM crops and chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Fairtrade
Guarantees a minimum price to the farmer, labour rights for workers, strict environmental criteria, no GM crops, and an additional premium for community development projects
ET = Ethically Traded – sourced direct, mainly from artisanal producers, at a fair price; sometimes referred to as ‘fair trade’ or fairly traded (no independent certification) or Direct Trade
FTM = Fairtrade - meets internationally agreed economic, social and environmental standards (independently certified) and carries the FAIRTRADE Mark
SS = Sustainably Sourced (or responsibly sourced) - not contributing to the depletion of rainforests or species- includes Rainforest Alliance, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
O = Organic or biodynamic – sustainably farmed without relying on chemicals
MF = Meat-Free (vegetarian, vegan or vegetarian and pescatarian)
LP = Offers Locally grown, locally designed or locally made Produce (in or around Crystal Palace)
LA = promotes Local Artists, artisans or professionals
N = Natural – mainly for cosmetics produced without the use of chemicals
RR = Recycled, Refurbished – vintage, second-hand or made from re-recycled or recyclable materials
AW = Animal welfare –free-range etc.
Guide to Certification Labels
The following offers insight into what some of the certification labels mean in relation to meat, eggs and dairy.
Organic
Standards vary between the different organisations that can give organic certification but they generally all focus on sustainability issues, including soil health and biodiversity. Animals reared organically must also be fed a diet free from genetically modified (GM) food.The Soil Association organic standard provides the highest welfare levels in the UK e.g. smaller flock sizes for chickens and no live exporting of dairy calves.
All organic chickens are free range. Organic chickens must not be fed more than 10% non-organic feed. They must spend two-thirds of their life outdoors. They are slaughtered at 10 weeks. Organic hens are also free-range, fed on organic food and raised on organic land. They have twice as much indoor space as standard free-range hens.
Organic pork that carries the Soil Association organic label must be reared outside and be allowed to root. Neither tail docking nor castration is allowed.
Free-range
For chickens, they must have access to outdoor conditions for at least half their life, living as natural a life as possible. In 2010, free-range did not have a limit to flock size, meaning that it is possible for stocking densities to be as high as standard birds. Free-range chickens are slaughtered at eight weeks.
For eggs, hens must have continuous daytime access to open-air runs that are mainly covered with vegetation or pasture. In the EU, every hen must be allowed at least 4 square metres of space.
Free-range pigs are born, reared and fattened outside, with some shelter for sleeping.
RSPCA Freedom Food
For chickens, no more than 15 indoor-reared chickens must be kept per square metre – the equivalent of a space 15 per cent bigger than an A4 piece of paper. They must be given better lighting and bales of straw, perches or even footballs to play with. Freedom Food chickens are slaughtered at seven weeks old.
Freedom Food pork can come from pigs that are reared indoors or outdoors. The label guarantees that they have solid bedding and that they haven’t been subjected to farrowing crates or castration.
Freedom Food is the RSPCA's labelling and assurance scheme dedicated to improving welfare standards for farm animals. The scheme covers both indoor and outdoor rearing systems and ensures that greater space and bedding material are provided.
For more details on RSPCA standards for dairy cows, see: http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232726216807&mode=prd
Outdoor bred pork
This means the pigs were born outside to non-confined sows and then brought inside for fattening after 4-6 weeks.
Outdoor reared pork
Outdoor reared pigs live outdoors for the majority of their lives. They are brought in eight weeks before slaughter to fatten up.
Red Tractor
This label means the bare minimum UK welfare standards are met. For pigs, farrowing crates – metal cages that prevent the mother pigs (sows) crushing their piglets by confining them in a narrow space – are allowed, as is tail docking to stop piglets biting each other. Pigs must be given materials such as straw to root around in.
The Red Tractor scheme, run by Assured Food Standards offers few welfare benefits compared with standard industry practice and generally only ensure compliance with minimum legislative requirements (the interpretation of which is considered inadequate in some cases).
The Lion Mark
The British Lion symbol means that the eggs are British-laid and have been vaccinated against salmonella but it can apply to cage eggs as well as eggs from alternative systems, so it is not a guarantee of higher welfare.
Cows and sheep
Neither beef nor lamb is graded to distinguish between free range or indoor reared as most British cattle and lambs are reared outside with access to pasture. Some do mark their meet as being ‘grass-fed’ or given ‘access to pasture’ just to make sure. The Soil Association’s organic status also insists on access to outdoor pasture.
*Sources: John Craven’s Countryfile Handbook (BBC Books, 2010), Compassion in World Farming, and RSPCA
Rainforest Alliance
Promotes sustainability and environmental standards but offers no guarantees regarding price to the farmer or working conditions
UTZ
Has a Code of Conduct but is weaker than Rainforest Alliance since they allow GM crops and chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Fairtrade
Guarantees a minimum price to the farmer, labour rights for workers, strict environmental criteria, no GM crops, and an additional premium for community development projects