M&S to sell only slower reared fresh chicken products
Marks & Spencer has said it will become the first major retailer to sell only slower reared, higher welfare chicken across its full range of fresh chicken products.
From the autumn of 2022, all of the fresh chicken sold by the retailer will be slower reared and British and RSPCA Assured. Customers can already buy slower reared chicken at M&S, including whole chickens, portions and chicken breasts, but from next year this standard will apply to all fresh chicken products.
The slower reared birds are fed on a multigrain diet that has been specifically designed to support their slower natural growth and muscle development.
M&S food managing director Stuart Machin said: “M&S has a long history of leading on animal welfare standards, working with our M&S Select farmers we know and trust. We were the first retailer to sign up to the Better Chicken Commitment, the first major retailer to move to 100% Free Range eggs and all our pork is 100% outdoor bred.
“We already have the biggest range of RSPCA Assured products on the market but we constantly want to raise the bar – that is why we are making this industry-leading commitment. It will lead to a step-change in UK farming standards and show customers that our determination to maintain the highest welfare standards means they will always get exceptional quality and trusted value at M&S.”
