Aldi is set to enhance animal welfare in its chicken supply with new packaging labels.
- From 30 October, Aldi customers will notice labels on fresh chicken packages indicating improved stocking density standards.
- These changes mean fresh chickens will have 20% more space than existing industry norms, sourced exclusively from British farms.
- The initiatives align with Aldi’s earlier move to stop selling eggs from caged hens and achieve its cage-free goal ahead of schedule.
- Julie Ashfield of Aldi emphasised the importance of animal welfare, highlighting collaboration with suppliers to achieve these standards.
Aldi will roll out new packaging that highlights its revamped stocking density requirements for fresh chickens. This forms part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to improving animal welfare. By 30 October, shoppers will be able to identify the new labels, which underscore the discounter’s dedication to higher welfare standards for its poultry products.
Fresh chickens from Aldi will soon have 20% more space compared to the industry’s standard practice. This shift is significant as it reaffirms Aldi’s commitment to sourcing all its chickens from British farms, thereby maintaining high welfare standards.
Previously, Aldi ceased the sale of eggs produced by caged hens, achieving its objective to become entirely cage-free over a year in advance of its pre-set timeline. This strategic decision illustrates Aldi’s proactive engagement in enhancing animal welfare standards within the industry.
Julie Ashfield, Aldi’s Managing Director of Buying, reiterated the company’s stance, stating, ‘Animal welfare is of paramount importance to us, and we’ve been working hard with our suppliers to reduce stocking density to help us improve the welfare conditions for chickens.’ She acknowledged the company’s position as a major supplier of chicken in the UK and expressed pride in offering customers higher welfare chicken options at value-driven prices.
This decision by Aldi comes shortly after similar moves by other supermarkets, such as Lidl, which also raised their chicken welfare standards earlier this year. Such industry-wide shifts indicate a growing trend towards improved animal welfare practices, reflecting changing consumer expectations.
Aldi’s initiatives in enhancing chicken welfare demonstrate its leadership role in promoting higher animal welfare standards within the retail industry.
