Veal Industry Research Paper

Words: 1059
Pages: 5

There are approximately 450,000 calves raised for veal in the US each year. When produced under the best conditions, veal need not be an especially cruel meal. Several higher welfare alternatives are available to consumers. While most veal calves in the US experience poor welfare due to rearing, feeding, and housing techniques, calves can achieve higher welfare with group housing, access to straw, and solid food, and by being fed by their mothers.
The Special Fed Veal Industry in the United States the veal as we know it today has its origins dairy farmers produced large surpluses of skim milk, a low valued by product of butter and cheese processing, which was sold inexpensively to veal producers. Veal quality improved, demand for milk fed veal
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To help foodservice personnel, as well as diners, better understand these issues, this section provides and an overview of veal production and the facts regarding the veal industry today. First and foremost, veal producers have a vested interest in ensuring that their veal calves are raised in a healthy and safe environment. Veal producers have proven themselves as innovators in animal care and management, which has resulted in a high quality consumer product.
Modern veal production systems ensure the health of the animal and the integrity of the veal product. Today, veal producers invest in constructing well lit, climate controlled and ventilated veal barns. It’s worth noting that while the traditional methods of production referred to above still comprise the vast majority of today’s special fed veal production, veal producers have begun using newer technology to experiment with various forms of group housing. Group housing has increased to almost 40% of all veal production with various retail and foodservice.

Veal in Today’s
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Prior to harvesting, an inspector from the Food Safety and Inspection Service FSIS of the USDA observes the veal calves live to identify any evidence of disease or injury. The industry and consumer concerns relative to the safety of veal as a food, the Beef Checkoff Program funded, in cooperation with the American Veal Association, a Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) Program for special fed veal that requires strict compliance with good husbandry practices. Once a carcass has passed all elements of the USDA inspection process, it is stamped as U.S. Inspected and Passed, and is approved for human consumption. USDA graders from the Agricultural Marketing Service determine veal quality grades based upon the conformation shape and quality of the carcass. Conformation indicates the overall muscling of the carcass, and quality reflects the anticipated palatability characteristics of the