Sainsbury’s launches lower carbon beef range

Developed in partnership with ABP Food Group, the Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus range brings together Sainsbury’s dairy and beef supply chains, reducing carbon through a combination of improved cattle breeding and animal management techniques.

Measures included strictly monitored feed and living conditions for the animals, resulting in more efficiently raised calves that need less time and energy to grow that ultimately emit fewer harmful gases.

Outside of the sustainability benefits, the range also offers farmers fixed, forward pricing to encourage greater security and stability. Sainsbury’s has also supplied farms with free-of-charge technology which generates in-depth data to help them make better farm management decisions.

High quality, low carbon footprint

Gavin Hodgson, director of agriculture, aquaculture and horticulture at Sainsbury’s, 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.”​

Sainsbury’s updated 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.

Product of Britain

The beef is produced in Britain using Aberdeen Angus cattle, which allows the retailer to breed healthy, hardy animals that are naturally suited to a grass and forage diet, producing more consistent beef with a rich flavour and “exquisite tenderness”​.

Ruth Cranston, director of corporate responsibility and sustainability at Sainsbury’s, added: “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.”​

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has invested in a carbon conversion research project​ ​as part of its bid to develop more sustainable packaging materials.