The first and exclusive Freedom Food-labelled rainbow trout has been launched in 400 of UK supermarket Sainsbury’s stores.
The Loch Trout Fillets come from open-sea farms in areas such as Loch Etive on the west coast of Scotland. To replicate the natural migration of wild fish they start in fresh water before moving to sea lochs, allowing them to grow naturally, and resulting in a distinct flavour and texture.
Sainsbury’s says that the Freedom Food label is assurance to customers that the fish have been reared to the RSPCA’s strict welfare standards throughout the supply chain.
Sue Lucas, Sainsbury’s product developer said, “Animal welfare and where food comes from is of huge importance to our customers. So we’re delighted that our fresh Loch trout now carries the Freedom Food label, independently marking it as higher welfare.”
Recent demand for more sustainable fish – and the success of Freedom Food labelled farmed salmon – has led producers to ask the RSPCA to develop welfare standards for trout, which were published earlier this year. The standards cover the whole life-cycle of the fish – from the egg all the way through to slaughter, including all handling and transport.
John Avizienius, who wrote the standards for the RSPCA, said: “The RSPCA welfare standards address all of the important areas in the life of the fish, and it has been very interesting working together with producers to produce a set of standards which will improve the welfare of the fish.”
Dawn Fresh is the first producer to adopt the RSPCA welfare standards for trout. Richard Hopewell fish health manager said: “Farming under the Freedom Food scheme with the RSPCA welfare standards raises the game – it makes us better fish farmers.”
