Aldi vows never to sell chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef even if UK strikes trade deal with US

• Aldi has pledged never to sell chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef
• It joins Waitrose in trying to prevent the weakening of UK food standards 
• There are fears that Boris Johnson will not protect British farmers’ interests as the Government negotiates a post-Brexit trade deal with America 

Supermarket chain Aldi has vowed never to sell chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef in a blow to a possible post-Brexit trade deal with America.

Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK, has promised that his supermarket will only stock fresh chicken and beef supplied by British farmers.

In a statement he called UK food standards ‘some of the highest… in the world’ and promised to ‘never compromise’ the standards of Aldi products.

The declaration rules Aldi out from selling US chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef, even if Britain strikes a deal with America.

Aldi, the UK’s fifth biggest supermarket chain, joins John Lewis-owned Waitrose in trying to prevent the weakening of UK food standards.

It comes amid growing fears that Boris Johnson will not protect the interests of UK farmers as he concludes a trade deal with Donald Trump. 

Supermarket chain Aldi has vowed never to sell chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef in a blow to a possible post-Brexit trade deal with America (stock image)

Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK, has promised that his supermarket will only stock fresh chicken and beef supplied by British farmers

Mr Hurley said: ‘Aldi is one of the biggest supporters of British suppliers and we want to make it clear that will always be the case. 

‘We are a signatory to the NFU Back British Farming Charter and our entire core range of fresh meat and milk is from Red Tractor-approved farms in the UK.  

Mr Hurley said: ‘Aldi is one of the biggest supporters of British suppliers and we want to make it clear that will always be the case’

‘We will never compromise on the standards or specifications of our products, and that includes a commitment to never selling chlorinated chicken or hormone injected beef.’

He added: ‘Britain has some of the highest food quality standards in the world, and our commitment to only source chicken and beef from this country means our customers know they are always buying high quality Aldi products at unbeatable value.’

The news was welcomed by campaigners, including Naomi Smith at Best for Britain. who said: ‘This is an important statement that reassures consumers that the quality of food sold in Aldi’s UK stores won’t be sacrificed. 

‘We strongly encourage other supermarkets and food retailers to offer the same commitment to their consumers.’

The commitment comes as more than 110,000 UK supermarket customers signed an online petition calling on retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda to refuse to stock chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef.

There are growing concerns among British farmers that the Government will not protect their interests and will sacrifice UK food standards as it concludes negotiations with the US before the transition period ends this year. 

The Conservative Party promised to protect UK farming and food standards at the 2019 General Election, but since coming to power have rejected amendments to the Agriculture Bill that would have protected British farmers.

The amendments would also have required imports to be produced to at least the same environmental and animal welfare standards as those required in the UK. 

A new trade and agriculture commission has been created, which will exist prepare a report for the Government on UK agricultural trade policy.  

Last month, Waitrose executive director James Bailey promised to ‘never sell any Waitrose product that does not meet our own high standards… regardless of the outcome of any trade deal [with the US]’.

He said: ‘While we must recognise the important and difficult task the Government has in securing our future trade relations, at the same time, we must point out that any regression from the standards we have pioneered for the last 30 years, both as a business and as a country, would be an unacceptable backwards step.

‘It would be simply wrong to maintain high standards at home yet import food from overseas that has been produced to lower standards. We would be closing our eyes to a problem that exists in another part of the world and to animals who are out of our sight and our minds. I feel sure customers will share our view.

‘But whatever happens, let me give you our commitment. We promise we will never sell any Waitrose product that does not meet our own high standards. 

‘This promise is regardless of the outcome of any trade deal. It is our promise to you. It is our promise to our farmers. It is our promise to the nation.’ 

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