The Albert Schweitzer Foundation has launched the initiative together with nearly 30 other animal welfare organisations to improve the welfare of broiler chickens.

The criteria of the European Masthuhn Initiative are well above the levels required by animal welfare law. Among other things, they provide for a lower stocking density, more daylight and restrictions on overbreeding. Apetito has committed itself to implementing the criteria for its menus and menu components in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Spain. The "Apetito catering" section is excluded from this. The criteria will be implemented by 2026 at the latest. This is the deadline agreed upon by the animal welfare organisations of the Masthuhn Initiative. The year 2026 was chosen so that the deadline would be realistic for countries in Southern and Eastern Europe, where animal welfare usually lags behind.

More than half of the Apetito suppliers already offer the required higher air quality in their sheds. "Until all suppliers meet all the required criteria, however, there are even more challenges to be overcome and efforts made," stated the company.

"We are very pleased with Apetito's decision," says Janika Kleine, Project Manager in the Food Progress Foundation. "After the caterer joined our "cage-free" initiative in 2015, Apetito's entrepreneurial responsibility is once again underlined by its decision to promote the broilers initiative."

More about the European broiler chicken initiative and a list of all claims can be found at here. The statement from Apetito can be found on here under "quality knows no bounds."