Labelling requirements showing the production methods of animal derived food products are almost non-existent. This means that consumers are largely unaware that some food products purchased come from factory farmed animals which involves cruel treatment of animals such as pigs and chickens.

Labelling of eggs, although voluntary in most Australian states, has seen a marked increase in the market share of free-range eggs as more consumers reject eggs produced by caged chickens. It proves that with proper labelling consumers can influence food production and production methods.

Consumers also have a right to information about the environmental and social consequences of the production of items they buy. This includes greenhouse impacts and the wages and conditions of workers who produce the goods.

Large plasma screen TVs for example are driving up home greenhouse gas emissions because consumers are not warned about how much energy they guzzle. The Greens are campaigning for energy labelling of appliances and information to be made available to the public so people can choose efficient appliances to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Media:

• For all John's media releases about ethical consumption and product labelling, click here

Recent Campaign Activity

Dodgy Labelling of Woolworths Toilet Paper Packaging

Woolworths continues to sell Select brand paper products with misleading claims that they are sourced from a company that is environmentally responsible.

Consumers seeking to make ethical purchases are being badly misled by claims made on the label that these products are manufactured by ‘a company that  is environmentally, socially and economically responsible’.

Woolworths is allowing consumers to choose products thinking they are doing the right thing by the environment. They are in fact supporting a company that is in trouble for illegally clearing forests in China and is notorious for its environmentally damaging and unsustainable logging practices in Indonesia.

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