The need for fairer labelling on our food

Last week, we attended an event at the Houses of Parliament, organised by our partners at Waitrose, to discuss the need for changes to labelling on food packaging.

Waitrose has long been a market-leading retailer with regards to animal welfare. This year, Waitrose has committed to transitioning all of its own-label pork to free-range by the end of 2027. In its chicken supply chain, Waitrose has delivered on its pledge to have all its own-label chicken produced in line with the Better Chicken Commitment.

Since such labelling became mandatory on eggs in 2004, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reports that the market share “doubled from less than 30% in 2004 to over 60% in 2023”. If consumers are better informed about the welfare standards to which their food is produced, it suggests they will choose higher-welfare products.

We are very supportive of Waitrose’s push for obligatory welfare-labelling, It would transform the British public’s understanding of where their food comes from, at a time when the general understanding appears poorer than ever.

Todd with Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk.