Welfare Science

Animal Welfare in Food Service

Food service including restaurants, cafeterias, and institutional catering provides significant opportunities to shift animal product consumption towards higher welfare and more plant-based options.

Key Facts

Food service accounts for around half of food spending in developed countries
Default menu options significantly influence what customers order
Reducing portion sizes of meat dishes reduces consumption without requiring conscious choice
Plant-based options as the first listed or default option increases their selection substantially
Corporate food service sustainability commitments increasingly include animal welfare

Welfare Considerations

Food service welfare influence operates through default options, portion design, plant-based availability, and certification of animal products served. Food service decision-makers have significant welfare leverage through menu design and procurement policies. Consumer engagement with food service welfare commitments matters.

What You Can Do

Advocate for higher welfare sourcing standards in your workplace or institutional cafeteria
Engage with food service companies on their animal welfare procurement policies
Choose plant-based options when available in food service settings