Beverages
Formerly known as Tata Global Beverages. With over 200 years of history, this company is now the second largest tea company in the world. 71% of revenue comes from tea sales, with a significant presence in over 40 countries. Acquired Tetley in 2000.
Tata Consumer Products Ltd
IND
Tata Group
owns 35% of Tata Consumer Products Ltd
IND
Business conglomerate
India's largest industrial conglomerate,Tata runs more than 90 companies in seven main business sectors: chemicals, communications and IT, consumer products, energy, engineering, materials, and services. The group is managed through holding company Tata Sons Ltd. Tata owns Jaguar and Land Rover.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jul 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Tata Consumer Products Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Workers rights in India
A 2014 report by Columbia Law School has found workers on an Indian tea plantation who pick tea for Tetley are paid less than £2 per day and live in inhuman conditions.
Source: The Telegraph
(2014)
Workers rights in India
A 2015 investigation by the BBC has found workers on Indian tea plantations who pick tea for this company are paid less than £2 per day and live in inhuman conditions. Living and working conditions are so bad, and wages so low, that tea workers and their families are left malnourished and vulnerable to fatal illnesses. There was also a disregard for health and safety, with workers spraying chemicals without protection, and on some estates, child labour being used.
Source: BBC
(2015)
CDP Water Security score of D
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of D.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Part owned by Tata Group, which has criticisms
This company is 34.5% owned by Tata Group, which has numerous criticisms and an overall Shop Ethical rating of 'F'.
Source: Shop Ethical
(2024)
Workers rights in India
Tea workers in India's West Bengal continue to be punished for challenging their harsh living and working conditions. Over one thousand tea workers and their families living and working on the Tata controlled Nowera Nuddy tea estate were locked out of their work for three months in 2009 and denied all wages, food and rations in response to a protest over the mistreatment of Mrs. Arti Oraon, a 22 year-old tea garden worker who was denied maternity leave and forced to continue work as a tea plucker despite being 8 months pregnant. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: IUF
(2011)
Human trafficking
Stop the Traffik is calling on this company to take leadership in preventing people being trafficked out of the tea plantations of Assam. Stop the Traffik are not accusing Tata Global Beverages of trafficking girls from Assam to be held in situations of modern slavery. They are, however, concerned that Tata Global Beverages is engaged in a labour scheme via Amalgamated Plantations in Assam that is fuelling unique forms of vulnerability to modern slavery. Of all the possible players, Tata Global Beverages has the power to do the most good in this situation.
Source: Stop the Traffik
(2014)
Rainforest Alliance certified products
This company sells Rainforest Alliance certified tea. However this only represents a fraction of this company's total tea 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.
Source: Rainforest Alliance
(2020)
Rainforest Alliance honouree
This company won a 2013 Sustainable Standard-Setter Award from the Rainforest Alliance, which recognizes businesses that are working diligently to meet rigorous sustainability standards, protect the environment, and support local communities worldwide.
Source: Rainforest Alliance
(2013)
Climate action commitments
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.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Ethical Tea Partnership member
The Ethical Tea Partnership was formed in 1997 when a number of major tea companies committed to working together to improve the social and environmental conditions in their supply chains.
Source: Ethical Tea Partnership
(2024)
BHRRC company profile
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.
Source: BHRRC
(2022)
55/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 55/100 in the Food & Staples Retailing category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 8 Dec 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Employees:
3,000
(2014)
Subsidiaries:
Tata Consumer Products Australia Pty Ltd
Tea importers
Tea manufacturing was moved offshore when Tetley's Australian factory closed in Feb 2003.