The food industry is notorious for its lack of transparency, and this is particularly true when it comes to animal welfare. It can be challenging to determine if the eggs you buy at the supermarket come from laying hens who were allowed to exhibit their natural behaviors or if the vacuum-sealed meat you purchase originated from animals that were given proper nutrition and allowed to graze in a meadow.
Without specific labels guaranteeing that animal welfare criteria were met, consumers are left in the dark. This is where the European Union comes in. They are working on creating a unified labeling system based on the Nutri-Score model to address this issue. On Thursday, the National Health Security Agency (ANSES) highlighted the criteria that should be considered when determining if animals were treated humanely in breeding practices. These include factors such as access to outdoor spaces, proper nutrition, and the ability to exhibit natural behaviors.
The lack of transparency in the food industry makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices about the products they buy. Having a standardized labeling system in place would help people better understand the origins of their food and how animals were treated throughout the process. Until then, it’s important for consumers to advocate for greater transparency and accountability in the food supply chain.