Sainsbury’s has launched a new Aberdeen Angus beef range which will offer a 25% lower carbon footprint compared to industry standard.
The supermarket chain has launched the new ‘Taste the Difference‘ Aberdeen Angus range with the aim of changing how beef is produced in the UK.
Customers will be able to find the Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus beef range in new packaging in over 60 stores from today (Monday, September 18), with a nationwide expansion expected.
Sainsbury’s said it developed the range by bringing together its dairy and beef supply chains, reducing carbon through a combination of “superior cattle breeding and animal management”.
The Taste the Difference range will initially feature 16 “customer favourites”, including 12% and 5% fat mince, 30-day rib eye steak and a 30-day beef roasting joint.
Director of agriculture, aquaculture and horticulture at Sainsbury’s, Gavin Hodgson, said: “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.”
Carbon footprint
Sainsbury’s said measures such as strictly monitored feed and living conditions mean that healthy calves are raised in the most efficient way possible, needing less time and energy to grow, in turn emitting fewer harmful gases.
As well as being better for the planet, Sainsbury’s said it has made sure the new process will offer benefits for farmers with “fixed, forward pricing” providing greater security and stability.
The retailer said it also equips farms with advanced free-of-charge technology which generates in-depth data to help them make better farm management decisions.
Director of corporate responsibility and sustainability at Sainsbury’s, Ruth Cranston, said: “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 creating 25% lower carbon emissions, this launch is another step forward in Sainsbury’s ambition to become net zero across its own operations by 2035, and value chain by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.
“This launch also shows what can be achieved through genuine collaboration with farmers and suppliers.”
