January 29, 2019

Nestlé aims for better chicken welfare in Europe by 2026

Nestlé has sought to achieve better chicken welfare in Europe by 2026, by getting its brands to use chickens that fulfill standards of the European Broiler Ask, a document which was approved by 25 animal welfare groups.

The brands - Buitoni, Herta, Wagner and Maggi - are required to make sure chicken suppliers adhere to EU animal welfare regulations. They are also needed to implement a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2 or less, as well as ending the practice of keeping birds in cages and multi-tier systems.

In addition, third party auditors should be allowed into the facilities of the chicken suppliers. Other requirements pertain to an improvement of environmental conditions, specifically, air quality, natural light and space.

From the start of this year, Herta, a chilled meat brand, would have changed its sourcing of chickens.

Furthermore, Buitoni, Wagner and Maggi will communicate with suppliers and stakeholders to determine the sourcing of chicken ingredients that would align with animal welfare standards while also ensuring "high-quality product choices," according to Nestlé.