Aldi Australia
Budget supermarkets
The first Australian ALDI store opened in January 2001. Today they operate over 500 stores throughout Australia.

Overall

Owned GER
Rating C
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

Aldi Stores (A Limited Partnership)
AUS
Aldi Sud
owns 100% of Aldi Stores (A Limited Partnership)
GER
Budget supermarkets
Aldi was founded in Germany by the Albrecht brothers is 1913. In 1960 Aldi split into 2 independent groups, Aldi Nord (North) and Aldi Sud (South). Aldi's Australian operations are part of Aldi Sud.

Company Assessment

Aldi Stores (A Limited Partnership)
Praise
Greenpeace's Reenergise campaign ranks Australia's biggest electricity using companies on their commitments and actions regarding renewable energy use. This company has: committed to powering their operations by 100% renewable electricity by 2030; signed at least one power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy power from a wind or solar project; invested in on-site solar.
This company received a packaging performance level of 4 (Leading) in its 2023 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2023)
In 2020 Baptist World Aid Australia released The COVID Fashion Report, a special edition of their Ethical Fashion Report. The report is framed around six COVID Fashion Commitments that ask companies to demonstrate the steps and measures they are taking to protect and support the most vulnerable workers in their supply chains. This company showed evidence of actions that cover ALL areas of the COVID Fashion Commitments.
This company won the Large Business Award at the 2020 Banksia Sustainability Awards. "In August 2020, ALDI committed to power all of its stores and warehouses with 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2021."
Criticism
In contrast to consumer expectations and free range eggs standards across the world, the government caved to pressure from a few industrial scale egg producers and major retailers to introduce a free range eggs standard in 2017 allowing producers to pack 10,000 hens into a hectare. The CSIRO, RSPCA, Choice and many others recommend a maximum of 1,500 hens per hectare. This company uses a stocking density of 10,000 hens per hectare for its Lodge Farms free range eggs, well in excess of consumer expectations.
Information
In July 2011 Aldi Foods provided a court enforceable undertaking to the ACCC in relation to the labelling of 'Just Organic' honey manufactured by Spring Gully Foods and sold exclusively through Aldi supermarkets. Both companies were ordered to change the labels, inform consumers by corrective notices, and establish and implement a compliance program.
Source: ACCC (2011)
This company has agreed to phase out the use of microbeads in their own-brand products by 2017. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microbeads aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment.
In 2020 this company announced that following a 40% reduction of overall operational emissions from a 2012 baseline, it is now committing to 100 per cent renewable electricity to power its Australian operations by the end of 2021.
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's products contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO). For more details, follow the link to see Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia's list of products which manufacturers have told them are palm oil free or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil.
This company sells Rainforest Alliance certified products. However this only represents a fraction of this company's total private label products sales. Rainforest Alliance certification has been dubbed 'Fairtrade light' by critics, as it offers producers no minimum price for their crop, and guarantees a minimum of just 30% of the product is certified.
This company sells UTZ certified chocolate, promoting fair and sustainable cocoa production. This ensures the cocoa is sourced and produced sustainably on farms with safe working conditions. However unlike Fairtrade certification, UTZ does not offer a minimum or guaranteed price, and the environmental standards of UTZ Certified are far weaker than those of either Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance.
Source: UTZ (2020)
To improve the nutritional content of ALDI Australia's exclusive brand lines and branded food items, artificial food colours have been removed. The artificial colours were replaced with natural substances or nothing and the reformatted products are of the same quality and taste. Six artificial colours identified in a University of Southampton study and an additional 8 used in Australian manufacturing were removed.
This company sells Fairtrade Certified chocolate, coffee and tea. However this only represents a fraction of their total chocolate, tea and coffee sales.
This company makes voluntary contributions to DrinkWise Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, whose stated goal is to help bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia.
Green rating in Greenpeace Canned Tuna Guide. "ALDI Australia took 4th place. It is taking improved sustainability seriously, thanks to its commitment to traceability and transparency on its labels. ALDI is currently only sourcing pole and line and FAD-free tuna, but should make some firmer policy commitments. By offering the consumer clear sustainability messaging on cans and in-store advertising, ALDI are going the extra mile to promote responsible fishing practices. Unfortunately, ALDI still uses yellowfin tuna, so be sure to choose its more sustainable Portview skipjack option instead." [Listed under Information due to age of report]
This company is listed on the RSPCA Australia website as 'cage-free and proud', signifying a commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. Essentially cage-free means barn laid, which is better than cage eggs, but still much worse than free-range or organic eggs when it comes to animal welfare.
This company has signed up to the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, which governs certain conduct by grocery retailers and wholesalers in their dealings with suppliers. It has rules relating to grocery supply agreements, payments, termination of agreements, dispute resolution and a range of other matters.
Source: ACCC (2015)
Most brands in store are ALDI's generic brands, under their own private label and 80% of these are sourced from local manufacturers. This is unlike the trend with generic house brands for the two major supermarkets that are increasingly sourcing their house brand products from overseas.
In April 2016 Choice tested oregano samples from 12 brands and found that only 5 were 100% oregano. The other seven, including Stonemill (Aldi), contained between 50% and 90% ingredients other than oregano, such as olive leaves. Choice referred the matter to the ACCC. As a result this company has agreed to only use 100% oregano. (http://bit.ly/2fzEvUe)
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Human Rights Law Centre's 2022 report, "Broken Promises: Two years of corporate reporting under Australia's Modern Slavery Act", examines statements submitted to the Government's Modern Slavery Register by 92 companies sourcing from four sectors with known risks of modern slavery: garments from China, rubber gloves from Malaysia, seafood from Thailand and fresh produce from Australia. Modern slavery statements are analysed to see if they comply with the mandatory reporting requirements, identify or disclose obvious modern slavery risks, and demonstrate effective actions to address risks. This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a rating in the 41-60% range. The average score was 44% and the highest score was 89%.
Baptist World Aid Australia's '2022 Ethical Fashion Report' assessed 120 companies on their efforts to mitigate against the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation in their supply chains, as well as protect the environment from the harmful impacts of the fashion industry. Assessment criteria fall into five main categories: policy & governance, tracing & risk, auditing and supplier relationships, worker empowerment and environmental sustainability. This company received a score of 43/100.
Aldi Sud
Praise
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2021 assesses 227 companies on the actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'well on the path' with a score of 18.41 out of a possible total of 24.
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is an alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs. They work in partnership to improve the lives of workers across the globe who make or grow consumer goods - everything from tea to T-shirts, from flowers to footballs. This company's membership status is 'Foundation stage'.
Be Slavery Free's 2023 Chocolate Scorecard rates all the major chocolate companies on their labour and environmental policies and practices. Companies were asked questions in six areas: traceability and transparency; living income; child labor; deforestation and climate; agroforestry; and agrichemical management. This retailer received a green rating: "Developing their own programs and partnerships to address the issues".
This company is a signatory to the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile & Garment Industry. The International Accord was established in 2021 as the successor to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which was established in 2013 in the wake of the Rana Plaza building collapse that killed more than 1,000 workers and seriously injured thousands more. Company signatories to the International Accord commit to: Disclosing all factories producing for them in countries with International Accord programs; Ensuring all listed factories participate in the inspection, remediation, and safety training programs; Supporting factories to ensure remediation is financially feasible; Contributing to the operational costs of International Accord programs. This company has also signed the Pakistan Accord.
The 2021 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report ranks global food companies on how they are managing and reporting their farm animal welfare policies and practices. This company appeared in tier 3, "Established but work to be done", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Criticism
An investigation by Daily Mail journalists in 2017 found workers in Bangladesh making clothes for this company were being paid 25p (less than 0.5 AUD) an hour. Workers endure 12 hour shifts in stifling conditions. Some of the mothers are forced to live hundreds of miles away from their families and can only afford to make the journey twice a year.
Oxfam's 2022 report "No Limits to Exploitation" investigates migrant workers in the supply chains of German supermarkets. Based on on-site research and interviews with workers, the situation of migrants in pineapple and banana farming in Costa Rica and in the wine and table grape sector in South Africa is examined. The report found that fruits sold in Aldi are grown under inhumane working conditions, with migrant workers commonly being underpaid and overworked, plus cases of trade union repression, sexual exploitation, inadequate protection against pesticides and other labour rights violations.
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 31%.
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for their use of palm oil, signifying they are using no or minimal certified palm products, and with no or minimal positive commitments.
Information
Aldi received an overall score of 'D' in Consumer Focus's 2009 Green to the Core report, which rates the UK's top nine supermarkets on how well they inform consumers about sustainability issues and help them make more sustainable choices. The report uses four environmental indicators: climate change, sustainable farming, sustainable fishing, and waste and recycling. Aldi "scored highly in some areas - 100 per cent closed door freezers and a high proportion of sustainable content in packaging. However, let down by lack of information for consumers in many areas and could do better in the amount of UK in-season produce."
This 2009 report by SUDWIND (part of the German Clean Clothes Campaign) uncovers massive rights violations in Chinese factories that supply special bargains to Aldi. 'The mostly female employees worked up to 91 hours per week and yet were hardly able to make a living from their meager wages. The work load is enormous, and mistakes are being punished by fines. Fundamental labour and women's rights such as the right to maternity leave and to freedom of association are being suppressed.'
Named in the Clean Clothes Campaign 'Cashing In' report on five top global retailers: Carrefour, Walmart, Tesco, Aldi, and Lidl, highlighting poor working conditions where these discounters produce their clothes and taking the companies to task for failing to take sufficient action to address these problems.
This 2011 report by Pesticide Action Network UK compares the top nine UK supermarkets' policies on pesticides. Aldi came equal last in the report, after failing to make any progress despite being the lowest performer in 2009. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
As a discount chain store, they have been criticised for running smaller retailers out of business. Bavarian dairy farmers picketed Aldi stores, which they blame for a ruinous 15% plunge in milk prices since 2001. [listed as Information due to age of article]
Source: news (2004)
Greenpeace launched its "Detox My Fashion" campaign in 2011 to expose the direct links between global clothing brands, their suppliers and toxic water pollution around the world. As a result, many companies, including this one, committed to Greenpeace's Detox Program.
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
This retailer has committed to being a fur free retailer, as recognised by the International Fur Free Retailer Program.
The Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Transparency Pledge (Transparency Pledge) helps demonstrate apparel and footwear companies' commitment towards greater transparency in their manufacturing supply chain. Transparency of a company's manufacturing supply chain better enables a company to collaborate with civil society in identifying, assessing, and avoiding actual or potential adverse human rights impacts. This is a critical step that strengthens a company's human rights due diligence. This company has published some supplier factory information, but falls short of the Pledge standard.
In 2022 after more than 170 nations backed a historic UN resolution to end plastic pollution, global businesses across the plastics value chain, financial institutions, and NGOs came together to announce a common vision for an effective and ambitious Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution. The vision will form the basis for future policy engagements with governments through a newly launched Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty which will be convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF. This company has endorsed the vision statement of the treaty.
The Material Change Index (MCI) is a voluntary benchmark that tracks the apparel and textiles sector's progress toward more sustainable materials sourcing (cotton, polyester, nylon, manmade cellulosics, wool, down and leather), as well as alignment with global efforts like the Sustainable Development Goals and the transition to a circular economy. This company was rated "Maturing", the second highest performance band.
This company is a member of the Leather Working Group, a multi-stakeholder group who's objective is to develop and maintain a protocol that assesses the compliance and environmental performance of tanners and promotes sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry.
This company is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, a voluntary initiative which encourages the adoption of better management practices in cotton cultivation to achieve measurable reductions in key environmental impacts, while improving social and economic benefits for cotton farmers, small and large, worldwide.
This company is a member of the amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), an industry-driven movement that aims to monitor and assess workplace standards across the global supply chain. Participating companies are expected to follow a code of conduct which has 11 principles including no bonded labour, no child labour, fair renumeration, decent working hours and ethical business behavior.
In 2022 Oxfam analysed leading supermarket chains policies and practices on human rights in their supply chains. Oxfam asked whether supermarkets are transparent and accountable in the ways they ensure that workers' rights are respected, small-scale farmers are prosperous and the women who produce our food are treated fairly. This company scored 56%.
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre digital platform presents news and allegations relating to the human rights impact of over 20,000 companies. Their enhanced Company Dashboards also include financial information, key data points based on corporate policies, and scores from prominent civil society benchmarks. Follow the link and use the search function to view this company's dashboard.
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #51/350, with a total score of 37.2/100.
The 2023 Fashion Transparency Index reviewed 250 of the world's largest fashion brands and retailers and ranked them according to how much they disclose about their human rights and environmental policies, practices and impacts. Brands owned by this company scored 34%, signifying it is publishing suppliers lists as well as detailed information about their policies, procedures, social and environmental goals, supplier assessment and remediation processes, and is more likely to be addressing issues such as living wages and collective bargaining. The average score was 26% and the highest score was 83%.
This 2010 Der Spiegel article explores "What Makes the Aldi Discount Empire Tick".

Company Details

Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary

Contact Details

Address:
1 Sargents Road, Minchinbury, NSW, 2770, Australia
Phone:
13 25 34
Website:
www.aldi.com.au

Products / Brands

Aldi Australia
Alcafe Coffee
ALDI Supermarkets
ALDI brands House Brands
Almat Laundry Detergent
Anco Soft Fabric Softener
Asia Specialties Asian
Asia Specialties Soy/Asian Sauce
Atlas Pest Control
Bakers Life Flat Bread
Bakers Life Bread
Bauhn Televisions
Bauhn Soundbars
Beautifully Butterfully Butter & Margarine
Belmont Biscuits/Crackers
Berg Smallgoods/Pork
Blackstone Popcorn
Blackstone Chips/Crisps
Bramwells Peanut/Nut Butter
Bramwells Honey
Bramwells Chocolate Spread
Bramwells Cheese Spread
Brannans Butchery Poultry
Brew Room Kombucha
★ certified organic
Broad Oak Farms Poultry
Brookdale Topping & Syrup
Brookdale Jelly
Brookdale Cones & Waffles
Brooklea Yoghurt
Burrandy Soft Drinks
Cachet Cat Food
Casa Barelli Pasta Sauce
Casa Barelli Fresh Pasta
Casa Barelli Frozen Meals/Pizza
Chazoos Popcorn
Chazoos Chips/Crisps
Chef's Cupboard Cooking Sauce
Chef's Cupboard Stock
Chef's Cupboard Gravy
Choceur Chocolate
★ UTZ certified
Cola Soft Drinks
Colway Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Colway Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Colway Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Colway Mustard
Confidence Toilet Paper
Confidence Tissues
Confidence Paper Towels
Corale Baked Beans/Spaghetti
Country Orchard Juice & Fruit Drinks
Cowbelle Cheese
Dairy Dream Yoghurt
Dairy Fine Chocolate
★ UTZ certified
Dairy Fine Milk Flavouring
Damora Rice/Corn Cakes
Damora Biscuits/Crackers
Deli Originals Dips
Deli Originals Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Dentitex Toothpaste
Dentitex Toothbrush
Dentitex Mouthwash
Devil's Orchard Cider
Di-San Stain Removal & Prewash
Diplomat Tea
Dominion Sweets & Lollies
Earth Grown Vegetarian & Vegan
El Tora Mexican
Elmsbury Pies & Pasties
Elmsbury Frozen Pastry
Emporium Selection Cheese
Essential Health Weight Loss
Essential Health Sports Nutrition
Essential Health Vitamins
Essential Health Bandages
Expressi Coffee
★ some products certified Fairtrade
Farmdale Pudding & Custard
Farmdale Milk Powder
Farmdale Milk
Farmdale Cream
Farmwood Finger Food
Fizzi Soft Drinks
Flirt Mints & Gum
Flying Power Energy Drinks
Food Envy Custard & Desserts
Forresters Dried Fruit & Nuts
Fraser Briggs Beer
Goldenvale Muesli & Oats
Goldenvale Cereal
Goliath Foil/Cling Wrap/Bags
Grandessa Jam
Green Action Laundry Detergent
Green Action Medicinal Oils
Green Action Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Green Action Toilet Cleaners
Green Action Dishwashing Detergent
Hair Tresses Shampoo
Has No Health Foods
Hedafen Pain Relief Tablets
Hedanol Pain Relief Tablets
Highland Park Beef
Hillcrest Muesli Bars
Hydale Canned Meat/Meals
Imperial Grain Rice
Inner Goodness Soy/Plant Milk
International Cuisine Frozen Meals/Pizza
International Cuisine Finger Food
Ironbark Pork Smallgoods/Pork
Jindurra Beef
Juliet Body Body Wash
Julius Pet Food (chilled)
Julius Dog Treats
Julius Dog Food
Jump Soft Drinks
Just Organic Tofu/Soy
★ certified organic
Just Organic Health Foods
★ certified organic
Lacura Skin Care
Lacura Cosmetics
Lacura Cotton Buds/Balls
Lacura Deodorant
Laundrite Laundry Detergent
Lazzio Coffee
Lodge Farms Eggs
Logix Dishwashing Detergent
Lyttos Yoghurt
Mamia Nappies
Mamia Baby Wipes
Mamia Baby Formula
Mamia Baby Food
Market Fare Frozen Vegies/Chips
Merryfield (sucrose) Sugar & Sweeteners
Milfina Ice Cream
Monarc Ice Cream
Moo Box Flavoured Milk
Moser Roth Chocolate
★ certified Fairtrade
Natural Blonde Beer
Natural Elements Dog Food
Natures Essence Shampoo
New Season Canned Vegies/Beans
Northbrook Soft Drinks
Northbrook Sparkling Water
Northbrook Bottled Water
NRG Maxx Milk Flavouring
Ocean Rise Canned Fish (Tuna)
Ocean Rise Canned Fish
Ocean Royale Frozen Fish
Oh So Natural Health Foods
Oh So Natural Peanut/Nut Butter
Olivia Feminine Hygiene
Ombra Sunscreen
Orangee Soft Drinks
Orchard & Vine Frozen Desserts/Fruit
Piatti Fresh Fresh Pasta
Pick'd Juice & Fruit Drinks
Portview Canned Fish
Portview Canned Fish (Tuna)
Power Force Disinfectant
Power Force Toilet Cleaners
Power Force Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Power Force Gloves
Power Force Scourers, Sponges & Wipes
Power Force Bathroom Cleaners
Power Force Window & Glass Cleaners
Power Force Floor Cleaners
Prince Mens Grooming
Prince Shavers
Prince Body Wash
Prince Deodorant
Protane Hair Styling
Protane Shampoo
Pure Tropics Coconut Water
Pure Vita Cooking Oil
Pure Vita Vinegar
Purewick Air Fresheners
Quick Start Breakfast On the Go
Ram Flavoured Milk
Regal Soft Drinks
Remano Olive Oil
Remano Pasta
Remano Canned Vegies/Beans
Remano Vinegar
Remano Pasta Sauce
Remano Frozen Meals/Pizza
Repellex Pest Control
Sainte Etienne Beer (imported)
San-i-Pet Cat Litter
Sana Incontinence Needs
Seasons Pride Frozen Vegies/Chips
Silks Indian
Silvester's Cat Food
Simplee Noodles
Simplee Soup
Simply Vegetarian Vegetarian & Vegan
So Femme Feminine Hygiene
Solesta Juice & Fruit Drinks
Sprinters Chips/Crisps
Stonemill Crushed Garlic
Stonemill Herbs & Spices
Storm Brewing Co Beer
Sunny Vale Butter & Margarine
Sweet Haven Frozen Desserts/Fruit
Sweet Valley Canned Fruit
Sweet Vine Dried Fruit & Nuts
Tandil Dishwashing Detergent
Tea Burst Iced Tea
The Cake Stall Cakes
The Olive Tree Olive Oil
★ Australian Extra Virgin certified
The Soup Co Soup
Tricare Body Wash
Tricare Hand Wash/Sanitiser
Tricare Soap
Trimat Laundry Detergent
Unamat Dishwashing Detergent
Urban Eats Finger Food
Vodka Crush Premix Spirits
Westacre Cheese
Westcliff Cordial
Westcliff Juice & Fruit Drinks
White Mill Cake Mix
White Mill Flour & Bread Mix
White Mill Yeast & Baking Agents
Will & Jess Cake Mix
Willowton Poultry
★ free range
World Kitchen Ready Meals
Yippee Ice Cream
Yoconut Vegetarian & Vegan