Sainsbury’s has collaborated with ABP Food Group to introduce the Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus range, a lower-carbon beef offering. This innovative range combines Sainsbury’s dairy and beef supply chains, implementing improved cattle breeding and enhanced animal management techniques to reduce carbon emissions.
The initiative incorporates measures such as closely monitored feed and living conditions for the animals, resulting in more efficiently raised calves. These calves require less time and energy to grow and ultimately emit fewer harmful gases. By implementing sustainable practices, Sainsbury’s is able to offer high-quality beef with a lower carbon footprint, meeting the increasing demand from customers.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the Taste the Difference range provides farmers with fixed, forward pricing, ensuring greater security and stability. Sainsbury’s has also equipped farms with free-of-charge technology that generates detailed data, enabling farmers to make better management decisions.
Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s, expressed enthusiasm for this significant step toward transforming beef production, stating, “More customers than ever want high-quality beef with a lower carbon footprint, and that’s why we’ve invested many years of research and development into transforming how we produce it. Our updated lower carbon premium beef range not only tastes great but is also positive news for our farmers too, who will benefit from more security and stability, supporting the future growth of UK agriculture. We’re excited about the possibilities this move could hold for the future of farming in the UK.”
Sainsbury’s new Taste the Difference range initially features 16 ‘customer favorites,’ including 12% and 5% fat mince, 30-day rib eye steak, and a 30-day beef roasting joint. Produced in Britain using Aberdeen Angus cattle, this beef is known for its exceptional taste and tenderness. The breed is naturally suited to a grass and forage diet, resulting in more consistent and flavorful beef.
Ruth Cranston, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Sainsbury’s, highlighted the growing consumer preference for responsible food choices, stating, “We know that more customers are wanting to make responsible choices when buying food, so we sought to find a solution which gave them high quality, great tasting beef which is lower carbon.” By achieving a 25% reduction in carbon emissions, this launch is an important step toward Sainsbury’s ambition of becoming Net Zero across its own operations by 2035 and its value chain by 2050, aligning with the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise.
In other sustainability news within the food industry, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has recently invested in a carbon conversion research project as part of its commitment to developing more sustainable packaging materials.
Overall, Sainsbury’s partnership with ABP Food Group to introduce the Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus range showcases their dedication to producing high-quality, sustainable beef with a lower carbon footprint. By implementing advanced farming practices and supporting farmers, Sainsbury’s is driving positive change in the food manufacturing industry. This move not only meets customer demands but also contributes to the company’s long-term environmental goals.