Kraft Heinz intends to expand its commitment towards animal welfare by including higher standards for treatment of broiler chickens in its US supply chain.

The company noted that by 2024 it will use chicken that has been approved by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) or Global Animal Partnership (GAP).

It aims to provide more space for the birds to perform their natural behaviours and offer better environments, including litter, lighting and other enrichments that align with GAPs environmental standards.

Kraft Heinz will also implement a multi-step, controlled-atmosphere processing system, while it will demonstrate compliance through supplier verification and will communicate the progress as part of regular sustainability reporting.

"Kraft Heinz shows yet again that improving animal welfare is a core part of being a successful food company."

Kraft Heinz corporate and government affairs senior vice-president Michael Mullen said: “When we issued our global animal welfare policy earlier this year, we underscored our commitment to the humane treatment of animals and said we would prioritise continuous animal welfare improvements throughout our supply chain.

“Today, we’re delivering on that promise by joining the food industry in an effort to advance the well-being of broiler chickens in our supply.”

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has welcomed Kraft Heinz’s decision to address concerns related to poultry production by requiring a shift in how chickens are bred, housed and processed by Kraft Heinz suppliers.

The HSUS Farm Animal Protection vice-president Josh Balk said: “Kraft Heinz shows yet again that improving animal welfare is a core part of being a successful food company."