Sainsbury’s launches “lower carbon” beef range

Sainsbury’s has brought a new range of beef to its supermarket shelves which it claims has a “lower carbon” impact.

The Taste The Difference Aberdeen Angus range is something that the supermarket giant says could “revolutionise how beef is produced in the UK” and also claims that the range will offer a 25 percent lower carbon footprint compared to industry standard, something it claims makes it the “largest low carbon beef range ever produced in the UK”.

Through bringing together its dairy and beef supply chains, Sainsbury’s explained that it has reduced carbon impact through “a combination of superior cattle breeding and animal management”.

“Measures such as strictly monitored feed and living conditions mean that healthy calves are raised in the most efficient way possible, needing less time and energy to grow, in turn emitting fewer harmful gases,” said the retailer.

The updated range will initially feature 16 products including 12 percent and five percent fat mince, 30 day rib eye steak and a 30 day beef roasting joint. The beef is produced in Britain using Aberdeen Angus cattle, something Sainsbury’s says allows it to breed “healthy, hardy animals that are naturally suited to a grass and forage diet” and produce “more consistent beef with a rich flavour and exquisite tenderness”.

“More customers than ever want high quality beef with a lower carbon footprint and that’s why we’ve invested many years of research and development into transforming how we produce it,” said Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s.

“Our updated lower carbon premium beef range not only tastes great but is also positive news for our farmers too, who will benefit from more security and stability, supporting the future growth of UK agriculture. We’re excited about the possibilities this move could hold for the future of farming in the UK,” continued Hodgson.

In addition, the retailer has highlighted that the new process of raising cattle will offer benefits for farmers including fixed, forward pricing so as to provide “greater security and stability”. What’s more the retailer has committed to equipping farms with “advanced free-of-charge technology which generates in-depth data to help them make better farm management decisions”.

The products are available in more than 60 stores across the UK from 18 September but are set to become available in more stores with a nationwide expansion on the horizon.

Also commenting on the updated Taste The Difference range, Ruth Cranston, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Sainsbury’s, said: “We know that more customers are wanting to make responsible choices when buying food so we sought to find a solution which gave them high quality, great tasting beef which is lower carbon.

“By creating 25 percent lower carbon emissions, this launch is another step forward in Sainsbury’s ambition to become Net Zero across its own operations by 2035, and value chain by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.”

Cranston went on to say that the launch “shows what can be achieved through genuine collaboration with farmers and suppliers.

“No one else has been able to produce a lower carbon beef range on this scale and we hope this launch will set a leadership example of what is possible in the industry.”