The Co-op Group has announced it will cease sourcing goods from 17 countries, including Israel, citing “internationally recognised” human rights abuses and legal violations.
In a statement released on June 24, The Co-op confirmed that its board had approved a new sourcing policy.
This decision follows a vote by The Co-op’s members in May to exclude Israeli products from its shelves.
Consequently, a board review has led to the establishment of a new sourcing policy. The retailer has stated that “wherever possible, they will not use ingredients in Co-op branded products or sell whole products from 17 countries of concern, as identified by the international community.”
Among the other nations included are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Mali, and Russia. Starting this month, products such as Russian vodka, mangoes from Mali, and carrots from Israel will be removed.
The Co-op, recognized as the UK’s seventh-largest grocer by sales according to Kantar, based its policy on criteria including: acknowledgment of violations by reputable sources like the UN; ensuring the ban on products “makes a difference directly or indirectly” and alleviates suffering; and confirming that the actions will not “negatively” impact the company’s business.
Debbie White, the chair of The Co-op’s group board, stated that this policy is a “clear demonstration of our co-operative values in action, where the voices of our members have been listened to and then acted upon.”
The Co-op, with over six million active member-owners, operates more than 2,300 food stores and maintains a workforce of 54,000.
