The Laboratory

Some of the veal available has been awarded the Bette Life Hallmark by the Dutch Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This veal meets extra high standards in terms of animal welfare. All calves have a haemoglobin content of at least 6 millimoles per litre of blood, for instance, whereas the legal requirement is 4.5. This level eliminates the risk of any calves becoming anaemic. Other criteria include all calves being able to drink at the same time and receiving twice as much fibre-rich roughage as legally stipulated. Meanwhile, the stalls are designed to be more comfortable for the calves when walking around or lying down. Transport to the veal farm never takes more than 8 hours or involves a distance greater than 500 km, and transport to the slaughterhouse takes at most 4 hours or is a distance of max. 250 km.

The quality and food safety requirements are transparent. Veal products can be traced back to the farm where each particular calf was born and raised. Daily tests at all stages of the production chain offer the consumer extra reassurance.

Food safety is a high priority. When drawing up the rules, the veal companies work closely with Dutch trade associations Productschappen Vee, Vlees en Eieren, national governments, European bodies and universities.