Vegan labelling

Examples of vegan labelling favoured by Animal Aid

Animal Aid is calling on supermarkets to adopt clear labelling to mark out own brand vegan products.

The animal rights group has launched a petition calling on Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Iceland and Lidl to signpost vegan-friendly grocery items, gathering more than 10,000 signatures to date.

The group’s Mark It Vegan campaign began in 2016, since when Tesco, Asda and Aldi have joined retailers including the Co-op and Sainsbury’s in committing to label their own-brand vegan products as such.

Tod Bradbury, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said such a move would give people on plant-based diets more confidence in shopping.

The group has also designed a range of labels, which it is offering retailers free of charge to avoid costs involved such as registering for approval from the Vegan Society.

“Vegans are more likely to shop in places where they feel accommodated and will therefore be inclined to spend more, or purchase products clearly labelled as ‘suitable for vegans’ in some way,” he said.

“Anecdotally, we know that once other supermarkets have announced that they will be labelling their own-brand vegan products, vegans have pledged to shop with them more in future as a result.”

“Animal Aid does not have a preference as to whether the label or marking is on the front or the back of the packaging, as long as the logo or wording is clear and visible.”