Waitrose launches its own free-range dairy in a major supermarket first

New free-range products will include single, double, whipping and extra thick cream across Waitrose Essential and Waitrose own-brand.

All products in the range will be labelled accordingly to highlight the change to customers.

The free-range label means the cows producing the dairy products are kept in natural conditions and have freedom of movement.

Waitrose announced its dedication to animal welfare two years ago, pledging that all its dairy cattle would spend at least 183 days a year grazing outside.

Dairy farms will also be required to leave gates open during spring and summer to give cows the choice between grazing outside and staying inside.

Most cattle in the UK already have access to outdoor grazing and figures from the RSPCA suggest that as little as five per cent of UK dairy herds are kept in year-round housing systems.

Dairy buyer for Waitrose Rachel Aldridge said: “Having successfully launched free-range milk a couple of years ago we knew that we could, and should, challenge ourselves to expand the offering to the free-range crease.

“We’re proud to be the first supermarket to make it happen and hope others will follow suit.”

Waitrose Senior Agriculture Manager Jake Pickering said: “At Waitrose, we’re consistently challenging ourselves and pushing the boundaries of aminal welfare across our ranges.

“By working with dairy farmers and suppliers to introduce free-range cream it means that we can provide customers with the best products along with continued high animal welfare standards.”

It comes as the retailer is reintroducing disposable cups for customers claiming their free in-store coffee.

It launched the initiative in 10 stores for the first time in the past six years.

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A spokesman for Waitrose said: “To allow more MyWaitrose members to enjoy a free hot drink, we’re trialling the introduction of takeaway cups in a small number of our shops for customers who forget to bring their reusable cups.

“We’re also using the national cup recycling scheme so that any disposable cups used can be conveniently recycled.”

Waitrose had initially set out to remove all disposable coffee cups from its shops by autumn 2018 to reduce packaging waste.

It revealed in a statement at the time that removing the cups underlines the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.