IKEA Food Services AB introduces the Better Chicken Program, the first of the IKEA Food Better Programs for more sustainable agriculture. It contains a set of requirements for more sustainable chicken production in the IKEA food supply chain addressing animal welfare, public health and environmental impact at the farm level.

“IKEA Food Services wants to have a positive impact on people, animals and the planet,” the company said in a statement. “IKEA Food has developed the Better Programs to address and focus ambitions for more sustainable agriculture for all major animals in the IKEA food supply chain.”

Through the Better Chicken Program IKEA Food aims to ensure broiler chickens are raised in accordance with criteria that promote better welfare such as adequate space (max 30 kg/m2), lighting, enrichment and breeds with improved health outcomes. It is working toward responsible use of antibiotics and address key environmental impacts such as deforestation and pollution from manure. For details please see the detailed criteria and road map per region available at http://www.ikea.com/us/en/about_ikea/newsitem/010918-IKEA-food-better-programs.

The Better Chicken Program criteria are to be implemented in two stages based on feasibility - certain criteria have a 2020 deadline, and final compliance with the Better Chicken Program is expected by 2025.

"Following two years of research and development, I'm delighted we now are sharing the Better Chicken Program, the first of our sustainable agriculture initiatives for farm animals, which demonstrates our commitment to driving positive change in the food industry," says Jacqueline Macalister, Health & Sustainability Manager, IKEA Food Services AB.

The IKEA Food Better Programs are global, developed with input from experts, NGOs and suppliers and set minimum requirements for sourcing. The aim is to work towards sourcing of all species – chickens, laying hens, pigs, salmon, beef and dairy cattle – to be compliant by 2025.

Source: IKEA