A Better Tomorrow

As an international retail company, we recognize that Lidl has a great responsibility to the people we touch, the communities we serve, and the planet that sustains us. For us, assuming responsibility means working to address the questions today that will need to be answered in the future and acting responsibly to build ‘A Better Tomorrow’ for our people, customers and planet. Acting responsibly today for tomorrow is commitment that puts sustainability at the center of our brand, our future, and the fulfillment of our quality promise every day.

Expanding Quality Standards

We work on a daily basis to expand the quality standards of our product assortment. Our assortment policies rely on high-quality, sustainable products, and we document these attributes of quality through measures like transparent, credible seal initiatives.

Each product in our stores that features a certification seal has met the specific requirements set by the certifying organization. These organizations set standards and best practices around overfishing, organic farming and production, sustainable harvesting, fair trade, and more. The labels you’ll find on our products are how we communicate that information—in other words, those small seals are a pretty big deal.

Below, we explain many of the product labels you find in our stores:

USDA Organic

Certified products are grown and processed according to federal guidelines encompassing many defining factors, including soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Certain manufacturing processes are also restricted, including genetic engineering, the use of “sewage sludge” (the solid residue in wastewater), and ionized radiation. By definition, all products that are USDA Organic certified are non-GMO.

Non-GMO Project

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. The Non-GMO Project Product Verification Program is North America’s only third-party verification for non-GMO food and products. The Non-GMO Project Standard requires testing of individual ingredients or precursors, not finished products.

Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal indicates that a farm or forest has been audited to meet rigorous social, economic, and environmental criteria that conserve biodiversity, and protect soils, waterways and wildlife habitat while supporting the wellbeing of workers, their families and communities.

Fairtrade International

Fairtrade International attempts to establish fairness in the farming and food production economies, where it is often lacking. With standards for labor (from small-scale producers to traders), climate, and textiles, the organization aims to reduce poverty and empower producers of goods in the world’s poorest countries. It also adheres to the universal principle of fair trade: that partnerships among producers, traders, businesses, and consumers lead to ethical and mutually beneficial trade.

Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade USA is a nonprofit organization and the leading certifier of fair trade products in North America. Its trusted Fair Trade Certified seal on a product signifies that it was made according to rigorous fair trade standards that promote sustainable livelihoods and safe working conditions, protection of the environment, and strong transparent supply chains.

True Source Certified Honey

Honey that has been certified by True Source Honey has been audited by its third-party auditors and undergone its voluntary system of traceability, which tracks the honey from the consumer through the supply chain, to the country of origin, all the way to the beekeeper. Its seal of approval certifies that the sourcing practices are in full compliance with the True Source Certified Standards of ethical sourcing based on US and International trade laws.

Certified Humane

The Certified Humane Raised & Handled® program is an inspection, certification and labeling program for meat, poultry, egg and dairy products which come from animals raised with humane care standards. The program is a voluntary and available to producers and of animals raised for food. The purpose of the program is to provide independent verification that the care and handling of livestock and poultry on farms enrolled in the program meet high quality humane Animal Care Standards.

Marine Stewardship Council

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the world’s leading certifier of sustainable wild-caught seafood.

  • contributes to the health of the world’s oceans
  • recognizes and rewards well-managed fisheries for sustainable fishing practices
  • supports practices that reduce impact to marine animals and their ecosystems

Best Aquaculture Practices

Aquaculture Practices (BAP) is one of the most trusted, respected and comprehensive third-party aquaculture certification programs in the world.

  • certifies safe, responsible and ethically sourced seafood
  • certification covers environmental responsibility, social accountability, food safety and animal welfare
  • consistently increases the global supply of responsible, farm-raised seafood

Aquaculture Stewardship Council

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent, international non-profit organization that manages the world’s leading certification and labelling program for responsible aquaculture.

  • promotes best practices for aquaculture
  • develops standards to address key environmental impacts of farming
  • sets requirements for worker’s rights and protects communities around certified farms

GLOBALG.A.P. Number (GGN)

Transparency is at the core of GGN. When you see a GGN label, you can relax knowing your food comes from a long line of responsible practices.

  • follows a product through the entire food process, from inspecting farms and fisheries to transportation and manufacturing
  • ensures that each step of the journey promotes worker safety, environmental responsibility and animal welfare