French retailer Carrefour has announced that it is working on measures to improve the rearing condition of chickens in its supply chain.
The retailer has introduced better chicken farming practices in 19 private-label chicken SKUs.
As part of the initiative, chicken farms have cut the density of chickens per square metre by 30% in henhouses compared with standard farms.
The rearing sites also ensure access to natural light and have introduced special facilities such as pecking objects, perches, and scrapers.
In addition, the chickens feed on a GMO-free diet and are reared without any antibiotic treatment.
Animal Welfare Score
The Carrefour chicken cutting range has seen its AEBEA animal welfare score change from E (minimal) to C (fairly good) due to these measures.
AEBEA (Association Étiquette Bien Être Animal) rates different types of meat on a scale from A to E, and it features on the product packaging.
C is the best possible score for chickens raised in improved henhouses, Carrefour said.
The rating is also applicable to the Carrefour Quality Filière Qualité, Carrefour farmhouse chickens from Auvergne.
In the coming months, it will include organic farmhouse chickens and Reflets de France.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
