Beef labelling

Where our beef comes from...
For a number of years Waitrose has been pioneering a new and different way of working with our suppliers. We have been working closely with a select group of farmers to ensure that all our beef is of the best quality and is produced to the highest standards of welfare and animal husbandry. We have established a number of farm assured production schemes, including one for beef.

We have created a dedicated supply chain where the meat goes directly from known farms to specially approved abattoirs. All Waitrose beef comes from animals born, reared and slaughtered in the UK. All processing of meat takes place in the UK.

Tracing the origin of beef

On the label
Our prepacked beef carries the following information required for traceability on the packaging:

• Slaughterhouse licence number (SL): identifies where the animal was slaughtered.
• Cutting plant licence number (CUT): indicates where the meat was cut and prepared.
• 'Origin UK' confirms that the animal was born, reared and slaughtered in the UK.
• The date code identifies that group of animals.

Service counters
At our Meat Service Counters, tickets and signs confirm that the beef is of UK origin. The coding information which provides full traceability is recorded at the counter, and is available with a full explanation on request.

Minced beef
All our minced beef is of UK origin. Although the slaughterhouse and cutting plant licence numbers are not required for mince, we still maintain full traceability.

Beef as an ingredient
The traceability of those products in which beef is used as an ingredient (for example, beef burgers) is achieved simply by using the date code and other codes.

Please feel free to ask our Meat Service Counter assistants if you want to know more.