I recently discovered the Ethical Shopping Guide 2011. I picked up the pocket guide at an environmental store in Brunswick, and think it's great! The website is a lot more detailed than the pocket guide, giving you information on why the product has a particular rating, but the pocket guide is handy to have in your handbag in the supermarket.
It's worth reading the website to see why each company has a particular rating, as you may not be worried about GM products but are really concerned about animal testing. They seem to give equal weighting to each of the issues.
It's definitely going to change the way I shop. In particular, I won't be buying Procter and Gamble products any more, as there is a world-wide boycott call due to animal testing. So yesterday I went out and bought Aesop shampoo, conditioner and face cleanser, which I'm very excited about. Aesop may be expensive, but you don't need to use much and they are vegan, don't do animal testing and are a local Melbourne company. So next time I wash my hair I won't be feeling guilty.
In terms of baby products, it seems that most baby formulas are evil, Rafferty's seems to be the best baby food option, and Gaia is the best baby toiletries and baby wipes. Seventh Generation, an American brand, is the best disposable nappy option, but many of the companies have "no information", so they could in fact be fine! I use the Naty Nature BabyCare disposables when we are on holidays, and I find it hard to believe that a company that promotes its green credentials so much could be evil.
Of course, the best nappy option is modern cloth nappies. But that's another entry.
