Sainsbury's is number one for animal welfare due to record sales

Sainsbury's sells 62 per cent of all Freedom Food endorsed food, including salmon, in the UK, and sales have doubled in the past year. This comes despite the tough economic conditions, with customers continuing to seek out value without compromising on their values, Talking Retail reports.

 The announcement comes three years after the launch of a high profile campaign led by Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall aimed at encouraging consumers to eat more welfare friendly reared chicken.

 Judith Batchelar, director of Sainsbury's brand, said: "Animal welfare continues to be one of our customers' top concerns. We've acted faster than any other retailer to increase the range and availability of higher welfare products at an affordable price."

 Leigh Grant, chief executive of Freedom Food, said: "This news is incredibly encouraging. It is clear farm animal welfare is of paramount importance to more people than ever before. And the fact that Sainsbury's shoppers have stood firm by animal welfare through some of the most difficult economic times only reinforces that it is an issue that is here to stay."