Waitrose has taken a significant step towards enhancing animal welfare standards in its Italian continental meat offerings.
- All own-brand Italian meats, including parma ham, mortadella, and prosciutto, are now produced without confinement.
- This change aligns Italian meat standards more closely with those traditionally seen in British meats.
- Waitrose’s long-standing partnership with The Compleat Food Group has been instrumental in achieving these standards.
- Consumer concerns about animal welfare continue to influence market practices.
Waitrose, a leader in the grocery sector, has announced a significant shift in its production standards for Italian continental meats. All of its own-brand Italian meats are now produced following the highest animal welfare standards, removing confinement practices previously standard in the industry. This includes popular items such as parma ham, mortadella, and prosciutto, where animals will now enjoy more freedom and improved living conditions.
The transition to confinement-free production represents a major alignment of Italian meat standards with the generally higher welfare measures traditionally associated with British meats. Waitrose’s decision to adopt these methods reflects growing consumer awareness and demand for responsibly sourced products. By providing animals with more space and the comfort of deep straw bedding, Waitrose ensures better living conditions throughout their lifespan.
Achieving these standards is largely attributed to Waitrose’s long-standing partnership with The Compleat Food Group. Notably, this collaboration facilitated a milestone achievement in 2016 when the first Italian meat producer under Waitrose’s umbrella received the Good Pig Award. Such recognition highlights the brand’s commitment to continuous improvement in animal husbandry practices.
Waitrose’s initiative is further encouraged by advocacy groups, with Louise Valducci of Compassion in World Farming acknowledging the retailer’s efforts. She emphasized the importance of corporate commitments to cage-free production, which resonate with consumers increasingly concerned about animal welfare. “We are encouraged by the steps Waitrose is taking,” Valducci noted, underlining the feasibility of compassionate choices on a large scale.
Waitrose’s commitment to improving animal welfare in its Italian meat line sets a new benchmark for the industry.
