Questions answered
There are 20 questions about “Animal welfare” in the “What are you doing about...” topic.
Click on a question to read our answer.
- 16. I know you say that the burgers are 100% beef, and I know cows make beef, but what exactly are cows?
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A cow is a mammal and a member of the Bovine family. There are many different species but generally speaking they are large, grass eating animals that produce milk.
Hope this helps.
(Feb 09)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 17. Why are McDonalds considering using Halal prepared foods to satisfy one religious group in the UK even if this way of preparing food is not something that the majority of the nation agree with, and is considered to be inhumane and barbaric?
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The issue of Halal food items on the McDonald's menu is a complex one, with both sides of the debate raising passionate and important issues. It goes without saying that customers are very important to the company, and McDonald's works hard to accommodate them all as best as it possibly can. There have been numerous requests from customers who enjoy eating McDonald's and whose diet consists of Halal foods for a choice of Halal items available to them on the menu. McDonald's researched this need and after careful consideration and lengthy discussions with Halal food experts, the company felt that it could provide theses customers with a small selection of Halal food items at a specific restaurant in London, whilst not compromising the very high standards of animal welfare that McDonald's has set throughout its entire food chain. McDonald’s consulted widely with stakeholders and interested parties to ensure the company met expectations. This included respected groups such as the RSPCA, Humane Slaughter Association and Compassion In World Farming. Currently, only chicken items are available as Halal options and only at McDonald's Southall restaurant. McDonald's Halal slaughter method has not changed much from its usual procedure. This is the stun to stun method (an electrical shock is used to knock out the chicken painlessly so that it is unconscious), followed by the kill. During the Halal method for accreditation, a verse from the Koran is recited during the slaughter by an appropriate person. This is the only change in the abattoir procedure.
SEPTEMBER '09 TRIAL RESULT: McDonald’s began this trial because we wanted to assess customer demand for certified Halal food in our UK restaurants. We have learnt that Halal is only popular with a very small percentage of our customers and to offer it we would need to make significant changes to our kitchen procedures and supply chain. Given this, we have decided that we are not currently in a position to roll out Halal food in the UK.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 18. How can I be sure that your chickens are slaughtered humanely? Are there any pictures you could show me? I want to believe you are kind to your cows and chickens but research done by PETA says otherwise...
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McDonald’s UK supports that animals should be free from cruelty, abuse and neglect while embracing the proper treatment of animals and addressing animal welfare issues. McDonald’s works continuously with our suppliers to audit animal welfare practices, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement. Outside experts have helped McDonald’s develop systems to measure the effectiveness of animal welfare practices that are objective and measurable. To that end, McDonald’s is committed to implementing an auditing system with our suppliers that ensures animal welfare compliance and sharing “Best Practices” for continuous improvement. McDonald’s will not work with any supplier that does not adhere to both the internal requirements created in conjunctions with independent animal welfare experts alongside those required by UK and EU legislation.
(September 2009)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 19. You are making an effort to aspire to high animal welfare standards in the UK.What is your remit on continuing this Worldwide?E.g.in less developed countries.
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McDonald’s commitment to animal welfare is global and governed by its Animal Welfare Guiding Principles, which apply in all the countries in which it operates. McDonald’s works with internationally renowned welfare experts to ensure best practices are in place, and to make certain that the animals are well looked after.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 20. You say that standards of animal welfare are important to you. Will you publish the exact standards u expect from your suppliers and slaughter houses?
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Animal welfare is very important to McDonald's. McDonald’s animal welfare standards are openly shared with suppliers and on some occasions with other organisations such as the RSPCA in confidence. This exact information is not supplied to the public, however McDonald’s has outlined its policies in the 2006 Worldwide Corporate Responsibility Report which you can find at http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/values/purchasing.htm.
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