Responsible Sourcing
Subway® is committed to sourcing ingredients and materials responsibly, with a focus on improving environmental performance and supporting animal and worker welfare.
Approach to responsible sourcing
Subway® works with IPC EMEA, an independent non-profit making organisation owned by Subway® Franchisees in the region, who manage the purchase and supply of Subway® approved food, packaging, and services.
In partnership with our franchisees and IPC EMEA, the Subway® brand is focused on promoting responsible sourcing principles within our supply chain. We support established principles of responsible farming, fishing, and animal husbandry that contribute to the long-term stewardship of natural resources and communities we operate in.
Our approach is guided by established animal welfare principles and informed by recognised scientific research and collaboration with suppliers, welfare specialists, and industry groups. We are focused on continually strengthening welfare outcomes across our supply chain, including improving living conditions, transport practices, and slaughter processes.
We will continue to engage with our supply chain and industry experts to ensure our approach reflects current knowledge and continues to evolve in line with established best practice and scientific understanding.
At Subway®, we take the welfare of our chicken supply seriously. In 2021, we committed to the European Chicken Commitment (ECC), which sets out a series of welfare requirements intended to support improved outcomes for chickens* across the European poultry sector.
Subway® intends to work towards the principles of the ECC, with the understanding that achieving the ECC standards will require industry-wide change.
We can’t do this alone, and with the support of the industry and our suppliers we continue to engage with and monitor developments set out in the ECC, recognising that progress depends on broader sector alignment.
The ECC covers requirements relating to:
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Compliance with all EU animal welfare laws and regulations, regardless of the country of production.
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The iImplementation of a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2 or less. Thinning is discouraged and if practiced must be limited to one thin per flock.
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Adoption of breeds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes: either the following breeds, Hubbard Redbro (indoor use only); Hubbard Norfolk Black, JA757, JACY57, 787, 957, or 987, Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, and Ranger Gold, or other breeds that meet the criteria of the RSPCA Broiler Breed Welfare Assessment Protocol.
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Meeting improved environmental standards including:
- No cages or multi-tier systems
- Improved natural light.
- At least two metres of usable perch space, and two pecking substrates, per 1,000 birds.
- On air quality, the maximum requirements of Annex 2.3 of the EU broiler directive, regardless of stocking density.
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Adoption of controlled atmospheric stunning using inert gas or multi-phase systems, or effective electrical stunning without live inversion.
Demonstration of compliance with the above standards via third-party auditing and annual public reporting on progress towards this commitment.
*This applies to all fresh, frozen and processed chicken in Subway®'s European managed supply chain
In regions where supply is limited, we work with industry partners and suppliers to support the availability of cage-free and free-range eggs. We continue to monitor supply availability in each region as capacity evolves.
*Statements reflect Subway-operated markets only. Markets operated by an independent master franchisee may vary.
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