Fighting Climate Change at the Market

UK-based Tesco tests grocery labels that go beyond nutrition

September 10, 2008 at 9:20AM by Anita Crotty | comment

Tesco's carbon footprint label With the possible exception of alternative-fuel vehicles, food choices are perhaps the most obvious front in the battle for a greener lifestyle.

But while many supermarket chains are still getting wise to the consumer appeal (and PR benefits) of local food, organic options, and energy-efficient stores, one British company is taking the lead in helping consumers make informed grocery-buying decisions. And this time, they're not just focusing on the wellness of the eater, but the health of the entire planet.

In an effort to draw attention to the environmental impact of various grocery products, Tesco is test-marketing a new label that measures a products carbon footprint. The new label goes beyond the sometimes-oversimplified measure of food-miles, taking the entire product lifecycle into consideration. According to the company, the label tells consumers "how many grams of carbon or equivalent greenhouse gases were emitted as a result of growing, manufacturing, transporting and storing a product. It also considers the impact of preparing or using a product and then disposing of any waste." Label data are based on calculations by the Carbon Trust, a private enterprise set up by the British government in 2001 to develop low-carbon technologies.

The initial test focuses on store-brand products in four broad categories: Potatoes, orange juice, laundry detergent, and light bulbs. Although the labels are limited to store-brand items, they cross categories -- frozen OJ versus refrigerated cartons, fresh spuds versus packaged, liquid versus powdered soap.

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tags: global warming, Carbon Trust, climate change, supermarket, Tesco, carbon footprint, food labeling, Britain, grocery store, SOLE Food Digest

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Anita Crotty

Anita Crotty is co-author of Married... with Dinner, an award-winning food blog that chronicles the continuing adventures of "a couple of San Francisco food dorks." Anita and her husband Cameron are both professional writers, amateur cooks, and avid diners.
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