UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Financial Times
24 Jun 2025 16:59
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The UK food retailer Co-op will stop selling products like Israeli carrots as part of its ethical sourcing policy.

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Bags of freshly harvested carrots are stacked before being transported to a nearby market in Patzicia, in the western highlands of Guatemala, Friday, April 17, 2020 (AP)

The UK-based food retailer Co-op has announced it will cease selling products sourced from "Israel" and Russia, among other entities, citing concerns over human rights abuses and violations of international law, the Financial Times reported.

The member-owned group, which operates more than 2,300 convenience stores across Britain, stated on Tuesday that it would begin removing certain products from shelves this month.

The decision came in response to demands from Co-op members urging the organization to take a stronger stand on international human rights issues.

The Co-op emphasized that the move follows a thorough analysis of 17 "countries of concern." It concluded that, where feasible, it would stop sourcing ingredients or finished products from these entities.

Carrots from 'Israel'

Among the first items to be withdrawn are Russian vodka, mangoes from Mali, and carrots from "Israel". Other targeted countries include Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Syria.

The review led Co-op to identify entities where the sourcing of products does not align with its principles. The ethical decision also extends beyond food, potentially impacting its funeral care and insurance businesses.

Co-op's decision amid broader corporate shifts

This announcement comes amid a broader reevaluation by major corporations of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Companies such as Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Walt Disney, and McDonald’s have scaled back or eliminated DEI initiatives.

The trend has been attributed to US political opposition, particularly from President Donald Trump, who labeled DEI efforts "illegal and immoral."

Despite this rollback, some firms, including Microsoft, Apple, and Costco, continue to uphold their DEI commitments. Notably, ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has maintained its activist stance, recently describing "Israel's" war on Gaza as genocide.

Minimal impact expected on Co-op’s supply chain

The Co-op indicated that the financial impact of this ethical repositioning will be minimal. Like many UK retailers, it primarily sources goods from the UK and Western Europe.

The Co-op has already begun contacting affected suppliers and affirmed that it will proceed with the phase-out in accordance with the UK's Groceries Supply Code of Practice.