The plant-based food movement is built on values—sustainability, ethics, and transparency—which is why so many brands pursue third-party certifications to validate their commitments. But what happens when a once-respected certification loses credibility? 

This week, Dr. Bronner’s, the highest-scoring B Corp in the world, announced it will not renew its certification, citing concerns that B Lab has failed to protect the integrity of the standard by allowing large corporations with questionable supply chains to obtain certification. 

“Despite our multi-year effort urging B Lab to strengthen its standards, they have allowed the subsidiaries of multinational companies—that have histories of socially & environmentally destructive practices in their supply chains—to obtain the certification & use it to greenwash their branding.”
– Dr. Bronner’s, LinkedIn Announcement 

For plant-based brands, this is a wake-up call. If one of the most mission-driven companies in the world believes B Corp no longer guarantees true accountability, how can plant-based brands build trust with consumers in a more meaningful way? 

Building Brand Accountability Beyond Certifications 

Third-party certifications like B Corp, Non-GMO Verified, and Organic can be useful tools, but they are not substitutes for real transparency. The modern wave of conscious consumers—especially those choosing plant-based foods—are increasingly skeptical of corporate sustainability claims and want real proof, not just labels. 

Here’s how plant-based brands can demonstrate accountability without relying on B Corp: 

1. Disclose Your Supply Chain with Radical Transparency

• Show customers exactly where your ingredients come from. 

• Share supplier partnerships, sourcing locations, and impact reports on your website and packaging. 

• Utilize blockchain technology or QR codes to give real-time traceability to consumers. 

Example: Oatly publicly shares its sustainability impact, including water and land use, per liter of oat milk sold. 

2. Commit to Real Audits & Public Reporting

• Conduct third-party supply chain audits and publish the findings—even the challenges. 

• Set specific, time-bound sustainability goals and report progress annually. 

• Use verified regenerative or fair-trade certifications that require on-the-ground audits. 

Example: Alter Eco Chocolates shares in-depth impact reports on its supply chain, including carbon offsets and regenerative farming initiatives. 

3. Engage Customers with Two-Way Accountability

• Create a consumer advisory board to get real feedback on sustainability efforts. 

• Open direct channels for customer inquiries on ethical sourcing, production, and impact. 

• Encourage independent watchdogs to evaluate your claims. 

Example: Patagonia has an independent review board for its environmental impact statements. 

4. Support Industry-Wide Change

• Align with policy-driven initiatives to push for systemic reform in food production. 

• Collaborate with NGOs and sustainability organizations instead of relying on certifications alone. 

• Advocate for legislation that enforces stricter supply chain regulations. 

Example: The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) works with manufacturers to drive policy and advance legislation for the betterment of the industry. 

What This Means for Plant-Based Brands 

If Dr. Bronner’s is walking away from the B Corp certification, plant-based brands need to rethink what accountability looks like. Instead of checking a box, brands must prove their commitment through action, transparency, and direct consumer engagement. 

Your customers are paying attention—they want to support brands that are genuinely ethical, not just certified as such. Now is the time for plant-based companies to lead with authenticity and set a new standard for accountability in the food industry.