Nutri-Score for animal welfare: Food agency in France proposes A to E labeling

Consumers want higher animal welfare across Europe, where law dictates standards for livestock species including calves, laying hens and broilers. They also want better animal welfare labelling on food products. In France, food agency ANSES is responding with a proposal for a Nutri-Score-like system classifying standards from the highest (A) to the lowest (E). Unlike most animal welfare labels, which only consider the rearing methods and ways to improve them, France wants to take a more holistic approach. Current animal welfare labels ‘are not enough’, stresses Julie Chiron, expert appraisal coordinator at France’s food agency. Instead of focusing solely on rearing conditions, ANSES wants to assess animal welfare according to scientific indicators measured directly on animals. The food agency also wants to take not just the food-producing animals into account, but also the living conditions of their parents. Considering rearing methods only, is insufficient, according to Chrion. ...