Frozen food company Apetito has recently committed to implementing the criteria outlined by The Albert Schweitzer Foundation through its European Masthuhn Initiative, which aims to improve the welfare of broiler chickens, writes The Poultry Site.
Among other things, they provide for a lower stocking density, more daylight and restrictions and overbreeding. Apetito said it is looking to adhere to these standards for its menus and menu components in Germany, the Netherlands, Austrian and Spain. However, the Apetito catering section is excluded from this. The criteria will be implemented by 2026 at the latest.
The year was chosen so that the deadline would be realistic for countries in Southern and Eastern Europe, where animal welfare usually lags behind.
More than half of the Apetito suppliers already offer the required higher quality in their sheds. But until all suppliers meet all the required criteria, there are even more challenges to be overcome and efforts made.
The caterer joined the “cage-free” initiative in 2015. The decision to promote the broilers initiative furthers Apetito’s entrepreneurial responsibility ambitions.
