In great news for Australians looking for higher-welfare options for this year’s Christmas spread, for the first time ALDI’s seasonal offering includes fresh whole RSPCA Approved turkey and forms part of their commitment to responsible sourcing. This means that if you’re shopping at ALDI, you’ll have more ways to support better farm animal welfare in Australia.
As Australia’s leading independent certification focused on farm animal welfare, the RSPCA Approved Standards exceed Australia’s legal requirements which means when you see the RSPCA Approved logo, you can know that the product comes from an animal raised to a better welfare standard. ALDI added RSPCA Approved chicken to their range in 2020 and in 2023 transitioned 100% of their own brand fresh barn-raised chicken to RSPCA Approved. Transitioning supply chains takes significant time, planning and behind the scenes work – so ALDI’s addition of fresh whole RSPCA Approved turkey is a pretty big deal!
Smart, highly sociable and curious, turkeys are birds with big personalities. Like other poultry, they enjoy dust bathing, exploring their environment, pecking at interesting objects, and socialising with each other. The RSPCA Approved Standard for Turkeys focuses on ensuring these inquisitive birds are reared with consideration for their specific behavioural and physical needs. For barn-raised turkeys this means enriched sheds that have well-managed, quality dry friable litter, more space to move and flap their wings, access to perches, objects to peck and appropriate periods of light to encourage exercise and continuous dark periods for proper rest. Where outdoor areas are provided, they must contain provisions such as adequate shelter and vegetation to make the area inviting for the birds.
Unfortunately, most of Australia’s turkeys are farmed conventionally, often in barren environments that don’t adequately cater for their needs. Without space to move and flap their wings, and provisions to encourage turkeys to express natural behaviours, they soon become frustrated which can lead to undesirable behaviours, not to mention suffering weakened bones and muscles from lack of exercise. This is no life for a turkey, which is why brands that source from turkey producers with RSPCA Approved certification like ALDI and consumers who purchase these products are so important.
“ALDI is committed to best practice industry standards of animal welfare across our supply chain, and we work closely with our business partners to ensure better treatment of animals. Prioritising animal welfare is an important part of being a responsible business,” says Daniel Baker, National Sustainability Director at ALDI Australia.
Since the standards were first released in 2010 over 3.3 million turkeys have benefitted from better conditions. By developing these standards, RSPCA Approved is able to work with producers and brands that wanted to go above and beyond what’s legally required, to give turkeys a better life. And it’s thanks to consumers like you; by choosing higher-welfare options, such as RSPCA Approved, you’re supporting farmers that prioritise animal welfare. This in turn leads to more farm animals benefitting from better conditions, today and ongoing improvements for their welfare into the future. The RSPCA Approved Standards consider current animal welfare science, RSPCA policy, leading farming practices in Australia and the commercial realities associated with farming.
So, if your festivities include turkey this year, ALDI has made it even easier to help prioritise turkey welfare with RSPCA Approved certification on its fresh whole turkey. From all of us at RSPCA Approved, we wish you a safe and joyful holiday season.
