Hearts and stomachs: New animal welfare label to win over the Danes

Consumers can gain better insight into the meat products they purchase

The government has unveiled a new label that it hopes will ultimately improve animal welfare in Denmark as consumers are afforded more transparency when shopping for meat.

The new label, ‘Bedre Dyrevelfærd’ (‘Better Animal Welfare’), has three hearts that are filled out in relation to how much animal welfare the farm animal enjoyed before being slaughtered. If all three hearts are filled, this indicates the animal received the best welfare possible.

“I hope that Danes will welcome the new animal-welfare label. The label will give consumers more choice and enable them to support animal welfare that suits their preference and their purse,” said the environment and food minister, Esben Lunde Larsen.

“No matter whether consumers choose pork with one, two or three hearts, they will be able to see how much animal welfare they buy with their money.”

READ MORE: Danish animal welfare group deplores shocking conditions endured by animals on long trips

Protecting the porkers
Initially, the label will only be attached to pork products, but it will later be expanded to include meat from other types of animals.

The labels will be visible in the supermarket chains Bilka, Føtex, Netto, Meny, Rema 1000, Kiwi, Spar, Lidl and Aldi, and also at butcher shops.