Quality standard Pork
Look for the Mark
Animal welfare and food provenance stand tall in the minds of modern consumers and rightly so. Everyone involved in producing Quality Standard pork understands this – from pig farmers to the livestock transporters to the abattoir teams and beyond. That's why they're so dedicated to maintaining high standards across every aspect of the supply chain.
Their aim is simple: to provide the best quality pork that they possibly can.
Assurance
The Quality Standard is used only on packs of pork and pork products that come from a supply chain committed to high standards of animal welfare, quality control and traceability. The Quality Standard Mark is a comprehensive and recognisable mark for use on pork, bacon, sausages, gammon, ham and pork products.
Welfare
In order to carry the coveted Quality Standard Mark, farmers must observe over 130 standards relating to pig husbandry and welfare at all stages. These range from the design of pig accommodation to staff training, health monitoring, feed, pig transportation, and overall pig management. All elements are independently assessed to ensure an optimum environment for pigs.
Traceability
From farm to fork, there is no weak link in the Quality Standard Mark supply chain. Each aspect of the chain has individual assurance schemes which not only cover pig farms and feed but also livestock transportation, the slaughtering process and the production methods for bacon, sausage, gammon and ham.
Peace of Mind
You don't just have to take our word that Quality Standard pork is produced to consistently high standards. Each element – feed, farm, transport, abattoir and processing - is inspected by independent auditors at least twice a year. Plus Quality Standard Mark farms are inspected four times a year by specialist pig vets as well as annual spot checks by independent auditors.
Country of Origin
The national flag is incorporated into the Quality Standard Mark to show the country of origin. Quality Standard pork from Britain therefore carries the Mark with the Union flag. Imported pork that satisfies the high standards of the scheme may use the Mark with the appropriate national flag. The Quality Standard Mark is owned by BPEX, and it is a requirement of any company wishing to use the Mark that it be registered with BPEX and regularly audited.
Support
By buying Quality Standard pork you are helping to support the farmers behind the Mark, so always look out for it when you are shopping for pork, bacon, sausages, gammon, ham or pork products.
Did you know?
An estimated two thirds of imports are produced in a way that would be illegal in Britain because farmers elsewhere in the EU supplying the UK are not legally obliged to meet the UK minimum legal standards which prohibit the use of sow stalls.
Pork Labelling: A Simple Video Guide
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Consumers wanting to ensure highest animal welfare standards by buying British pork often find that product labels can be both, confusing and misleading. Watch our short video to help you identify the country of origin of your pork product.
The BPEX Guide to Labelling helps you choose pork you'll love. Download PDF now
If in doubt look for the Quality Standard Mark
The Quality Standard Mark is your guarantee of a high standard at every step from farm to fork:
Assurance Rigorous standards are observed throughout the supply chain
Welfare At all stages the quality of pig husbandry and animal welfare is high
Traceability Every aspect of the pork meat production process is fully traceable
Peace of Mind Quality Standard Mark farms are inspected four times a year
Country of Origin The national flag on the Mark guarantees the country of origin