Nestlé to improve chicken welfare across four major brands

MAJOR PLAYER: Nestle chicken products are sold under various brands across Europe

Nestlé has pledged to help improve the welfare of millions of chickens used for food in Europe through its leading food brands Herta, Buitoni, Wagner and Maggi.

By 2026, all Nestlé food products in Europe that use chicken as an ingredient will move to one higher standard for welfare as per the requirements set out in the European Broiler Ask (Better Chicken Commitment).

Commenting on the announcement, Nestlé Zone Europe, Middle East and North Africa CEO Marco Settembri said: “Consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it is made. As part of our commitment to source ingredients responsibly we will improve welfare standards for millions of chickens used in our food products in Europe, including our Herta, Buitoni, Wagner and Maggi ranges.”

Chilled meat brand Herta will make changes in its sourcing of chicken starting January 1, 2019, as part of the longer-term transition to higher welfare standards. These products will be available under the existing Herta ‘Preference’ mark in France.

Nestlé will engage suppliers and stakeholders to assess how chicken ingredients sourced for its Buitoni, Wagner and Maggi brands and entire food portfolio can meet higher welfare standards while maintaining consumer access to affordable, high-quality product choices.

This announcement builds on a pledge on broiler welfare made by Nestlé in the US last year and the company’s decision to source cage free eggs only on a global basis by 2025.