Animal welfare is a substantial value for our company. We are committed to selecting vendors that adopt high standards in all production phases, often superior to the regulatory requirements. This commitment is set out in our Animal Welfare Policy, which is based on recognition of the fact that animals are sentient beings, meaning that they have feelings and emotions.   The policy is inspired by the internationally recognised “Five Freedoms”:  

• Freedom from hunger and thirst
• Freedom from discomfort
• Freedom from pain, injury and disease
• Freedom to express natural behaviour
• Freedom from fear and distress

  We require vendors to manage animals responsibly throughout the supply chain, taking care over a variety of aspects including farming systems, hygiene, use of drugs, transport and slaughtering techniques. We require animals intended for food production to be stunned prior to slaughtering, in accordance with European regulations, and we prohibit the use of cloned or genetically modified animals or growth-promoting substances. We pay particular attention to the laying hen supply chain. We aim to phase out the purchase of eggs and egg products derived from caged hens. In 2023 we achieved our aim of replacing 100% of articles with barn-laid eggs. In 2024, although this procurement commitment remained in place, the actual percentage of purchases was 92%, due to delays in orders and deliveries and market shortages; the remaining 8% was therefore the minimum essential to guarantee service. For pasteurised eggs the gradual conversion of the purchased items planned during 2025 is confirmed.