Blog - CIRFOOD and The Better Life label
All meats served by us have carried of the Better Life label of the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) (since January 1, 2023. The Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) is the largest animal protection organisation in the Netherlands, with over 160,000 members.
About time to put this great initiative in the spotlight during the Better Life label - week CIRFOOD has been committed to a more animal-friendly meat supply. After meat products, other product categories will follow. The intention is that our eggs and snacks, such as sausage rolls, will also switch to products with at least one star Beter Leven label. With this step, CIRFOOD is showing the foodservice industry that it is possible to do contract catering in a responsible and animal-friendly way.
Below we answer 3 questions about our switch to the Beter Leven keurmerk
What is the Better Life label?
The Better Life label was introduced in 2007 by the The Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) and stands for a better life for as many livestock animals as possible. When consumers buy meat that carries the Beter Leven quality mark, they can be sure that the farm or slaughterhouse meets the animal welfare requirements of SPA. Animals have more exercise space, distraction material and shorter transport times. Slaughter is also subject to strict requirements, such as mandatory stunning of the animals.
The Better Life label, with 1, 2 or 3 stars, appears on packages of meat, meat products, chicken, eggs, dairy products and also on composite products. And, the more stars, the more animal-friendly the production.
Why did you choose to switch to meat products with a Better Life label?
The Better Life label from SPA, especially 2 and 3 stars, is known as a top quality mark. It has strict requirements for sustainability, transparency and control. The label is known to a wide audience and fits within our policy to make our assortment more sustainable. The Better Life mark is recognizable for the conscious consumer, and the consumer knows that the product must meet strict requirements. By using the Better Life label, we contribute to making food production more sustainable, from agriculture to livestock farming.
How does this step fit into CIRFOOD's sustainability strategy?
For us, this move was part of our sustainable sourcing strategy. We work according to a strict sustainable development agenda. As a result, CIRFOOD is developing as a company, with a more responsible, CO2-neutral, healthier and tastier offering. Our goal is to be CO2 neutral by 2030 and to have as many sustainable products in our assortment as possible. This is anchored in the 'CIRFOOD Five Pillar procurement plan'. Our products preferably always come from one of the five pillars, or categories: organic, sustainable, fair trade, regional product or vegetable. Top labels, such as Better Life and ASC and MSC for fish, have independent parties carry out checks. That is why we consciously choose to buy products with a top quality mark, such as the Better Life Label.
We assume small changes on the plate lead to a big difference for the world. This is based on the Eat-Lancet menu, the “menu of the future. One of the starting points is to consume less meat and animal products, which we achieve by introducing vegetable substitutes. Together with our partners and suppliers, we are simultaneously working on offering more animal-friendly meat, and offering more plant-based products.
Currently, 60% of our offerings already fall within our Five pillars procurement plan..
Our goal is to increase this to 80%.
A step in the right direction for animal welfare
Our choice of the Better Life label isstrategic and has a triple positive effect. On the one hand, it allows us to support farmers who want to meet the high requirements of the label. On the other hand, it contributes to the sustainability of our assortment, in which animal welfare is an important spearhead. Our goal is to gradually increase the share of products with the Beter Leven mark, thus making an important contribution to sustainable food production.
By offering meat products with the 2- and 3-star Beter Leven quality mark, we ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their products. At the same time, we create a stable demand for sustainable products, which provides an incentive for the entire sector to become more sustainable. Farmers are motivated to meet the strict requirements of the label because it increases their profitability. Although this requires investments, such as for improving animal living conditions and changes in farm management, the higher price for Better Life products ensures that these investments are profitable.
Animal welfare as a minimum standard
The Better Life label also ensures that the lower limit for animal welfare is slowly but surely rising. This means that standards for animal welfare and production conditions are rising throughout the sector. For producers who are not yet ready for the stricter 3-star standards, the 1-star label offers a viable first step. This increases the accessibility of more sustainable practices to a broader group of producers.
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) and sustainable choices for our guests
The move to Better Life products aligns with our sustainability goals. In particular SDG 2.4, which focuses on promoting sustainable and resilient agricultural practices. This label helps us not only improve animal welfare, but also make broader environmental and social impact. For our guests, the Better Life label offers recognition and convenience. Consumers are increasingly aware of sustainability and expect transparency from the products they buy. The Beter Leven quality mark is the most well-known hallmark for animal welfare in The Netherlands.
CIRFOOD only uses meat and meat products that carry the Better Life label. This makes it easy for our guests to choose a dish with meats with a clear consious, knowing that those meats must meet strict requirements in terms of animal welfare and production conditions.
