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[Leicester_H]

Just sent an email to the RSPCA - but am I over reacting ??

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I recently bought some Salmon en croute from Sainsbury's which displayed the 'Freedom Food - RSCPA Monitored' logo. I believed I was buying a higher animal welfare *product*. I attach a pdf file of the packaging.

 

It was not until I was unpacking my shopping at home that I noticed a tiny asterisk underneath the logo (approx. 20 times smaller than the logo). On the back of the package it stated.

"* Only the salmon in this product comes from farms approved by Freedom Farms strict RSPCA welfare standards"

So the cream, butter, cheese does not conform to the higher welfare standards - so the logo does not apply to the *product* - just one part of it.

The lable already stated 'salmon en croute made with responsibly sourced salmon' - so what does the 'Freedom Food - RSCPA Monitored' logo add ? (except a false sense of animal welfare)

 

I think this is a very misleading use of the logo. I thought the big bold logo was to help consumers make ethical decision without having to read every part of the small print.

 

Is this use of the logo acceptable to the RSPCA ? If it is, it makes it almost valueless to the consumer (who still has to read all the fine print on the reverse of the packet)

 

As a concerned consumer, I look forward to hearing from you.

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Your views ??

 

H

[Space Chick]

I think you make a very valid point

[C&T]

Interesting point.

 

Be interested to hear their reply.

 

The fact the primary ingredient is ethically sourced is important, but so are the other animal products in the dish, and to ignore them sounds like the company is not really dedicated to the cause!

[snowberry]

Since the RSPCA endorse the killing of day old male chicks by crushing, I'll have nothing to do with them

[Bramble]

Excellent point and very well made, Hazel Please let us know what the RSPCA's response is. I'm horrified actually - I'm a veggie, but on the occasions I've bought meaty/fishy stuff for family who aren't, I've often bought something because of the freedom food logo, never dreaming that I couldn't take it literally.

[majorbloodnock]

I'm afraid it provides more confirmation for me of my view that the only way to have confidence in what I put in my family's mouths is to make it myself - wherever possible from ingredients we have grown ourselves.

 

The worst part is that even the implication of the small print you highlighted is misleading. Just because the manufacturer won't guarantee the other ingredients meet the welfare standards doesn't mean they don't. It may be that some of the butter, for instance, does meet those standards, but it could range from 0% to 99%. The problem is that you don't know, so can't make a reasoned choice.

 

It annoys me beyond belief whenever I think about the extent to which food manufacturers try to play tricks in the production of what they expect us to eat. Sadly, as a result, I've long since given up hope of them ever acting honourably of their own volition.

[The Dogmother]

Me too, I try to make as much of our food as I can from scratch, and where possible use ingredients from sources that I can trust

[Leicester_H]

I too, cook most meals from scratch, but if i'm going to be late home, sometimes a ready meal (plus fresh veg) is handy.

 

Had very dissapointing reply from RSPCA - 'Unfortunately, due to limited resources we are unable to assist you in this matter.' and told me to contact Sainsbury's.

 

So 'RSPCA monitored' doesn't seem to mean that the logo use is monotored by the RSPCA - silly me!

 

H

[majorbloodnock]

That's tantamount to a "we're not prepared to give you an answer", and personally I'd be taking it up further to embarrass a proper response from them.

 

Obviously, it's their logo, so they can decide when to devalue it and when to protect it, but they can't avoid the decision altogether otherwise Sainsbury's will make it for them (and have done, it seems - in Sainsburys' best interests, of course). Put another way, they can't benefit from the partnership without accepting the cost of the inevitable enquiries.

[Bramble]

I too, cook most meals from scratch, but if i'm going to be late home, sometimes a ready meal (plus fresh veg) is handy.

 

Had very dissapointing reply from RSPCA - 'Unfortunately, due to limited resources we are unable to assist you in this matter.' and told me to contact Sainsbury's.

 

So 'RSPCA monitored' doesn't seem to mean that the logo use is monotored by the RSPCA - silly me!

 

H

Good grief, that's appalling, to me that sounds like "We don't care". I've heard very negative comments about the RSPCA before but I've always given them the benefit of the doubt, now I'm starting to wonder. I would definitely take it up with Sainsburys and Cc everything to the RSPCA. I would be prepared to pay a premium for a Freedom Food product, compared with a similar product without that label, but seemingly I'd be wrong to do so?? It's almost a Trading Standards issue, I'd have thought?

Shame on you RSPCA?

[Leicester_H]

I expressed disapointment with their reply and got a fuller one - I'm not happy though.

 

Here is part of it

 

"We understand that you are not happy with the way in which the product you purchased has been labelled however, this is not an animal welfare issue but rather a consumer one and as such we hope you can appreciate why we must direct you to the relevant organisation that can investigate your concerns. "

 

I have emailed Sainsbury's to see what they say - but I am surprised that the RSPCA aren't concerned that their name is used in this way.

[Bramble]

That's no better, surely the RSPCA shouldn't put their name to something which is not what it claims to be? I'd be very grateful to know what response, if any, you get from Sainsburys?

[MedusA]

Speaking as someone who has to read every single label when shopping due to vegetarianism and food allergies, I can sympathise.

 

I am appalled at the "washing of hands" response from the RSPCA and would certainly pursue them on this. I'll also be interested to hear what Sainsbury's have to say.

 

Please keep us posted, Hazel.

[majorbloodnock]

Could you possibly PM me with the email address you used, please? Seems to me the RSPCA will need to see more enquiries before it becomes worth their while bothering to answer properly.

[The Dogmother]

That's appalling!

 

They purport to have ethics, but in the end it appears to all be a load of greenwash and a mere nod in the direction of freedom food guidelines. Do they have any idea at all as to which foods Sainsburys are merrily slapping their logo on, or is it just random and unregulated?