Understanding our WELFARE LABELLING
At Waitrose we are proud to announce a groundbreaking leap in animal welfare: from April 2025, we begin the process of adding clear and unambiguous welfare labels to our fresh meat, beginning with all our fresh and frozen chicken.
The clear, visual labels differentiate between various farming methods using a tiering system – a first for a UK-run supermarket.
All our fresh chicken meets Better Chicken Commitment standards, or higher. This means we only source from farms that raise a slower-growing breed, with more space to peck, roost and roam.
Adding to this commitment, we have introduced a unique tiered welfare rating system on our chicken packaging, helping customers make more informed choices and offering unparalleled transparency. Just another step we have taken to ensure customers can connect their values with the exceptional taste on their plates.
This system rates chicken products into five distinct tiers, the lower two tiers will be absent from all Waitrose own-brand chicken from September 2025.
Welfare RATINGS explained
The system rates chicken products into five distinct tiers:
A+ Organic
Birds with access to large outdoor ranges, fed an organic diet and with smaller flock sizes.
A Free Range
As well as living in safe, comfortable housing, birds have access to the outdoors for at least eight hours a day.
B Better Chicken Commitment
From slower-growing breeds, birds have more space to behave naturally, with natural daylight and environmental enrichment.
C More Space Indoor
Birds live in safe, comfortable housing with natural daylight, bales, perches and pecking objects.
D Standard Indoor
Birds are reared to the UK’s legal housing requirements. Not available at Waitrose.
DISCOVER MORE
Free range egg-laying hens
Our hens are all free range – and have been since 2008 – and looked after by farmers we know and trust.
How our pigs live
All our piglets are born outside and raised in the fresh air, and breeding sows live outdoors for their entire lives.
Giving back since 2005
The Waitrose Foundation supports the people who grow, pick and pack our fresh produce.