Rose veal is humanely raised calf meat in the UK, certified by the RSPCA. The meat is pink and has more flavor and nutrients than traditional veal. It is a solution to the inhumane conditions of traditional veal and the euthanization of male dairy calves.
Rose veal is the official name for humanely raised calves used for meat in the United Kingdom (UK). The name “pink” refers to the color of the meat which, unlike the white meat of inhuman calves, is pink. In the UK, the rose calf is certified humane by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (RSPCA). Humanely raised veal can also be found in the United States, but may use a different name. If he is raised as a human, however, he will be certified by an animal cruelty prevention organization.
Humanely raised calves live for about six months. During that time, they are given free range in a pasture or field and are allowed to stay and be fed by their mothers. As a result, their meat has more flavor than traditional veal and contains higher concentrations of some key nutrients, such as vitamin E.
Veal is purchased from surplus calves in the dairy industry. In order for dairy cows to produce milk regularly, they must calve regularly. Female calves have a place like dairy cows, but male calves can neither produce milk nor be raised for beef. Cattle raised for beef are bred for that purpose and will have superior meat to dairy cattle.
In the past, dairy farmers felt they were left with two options on how to deal with excess calves: euthanize male calves after birth or sell them for use as veal. As veal grew in popularity, more calves were sold rather than euthanized. Then, the conditions under which these calves were raised were made public.
Traditionally, calves raised for veal are kept in confined spaces where they may not even be able to stand. They are fed formula that does not meet their nutritional needs but contains a multitude of antibiotics and hormones. Once this treat was made public, veal sales dropped sharply and the market shrank. Furthermore, the UK has outlawed these inhumane practices. As a result, the majority of male calves born in the dairy sector have begun to be re-euthanised.
The rose calf was created as a solution to the inhumane conditions of the traditional calf and an alternative to euthanizing. Creating humane conditions allows the calf to continue to be sold and the calves to live a short life. The “pink calf” moniker was invented to quickly and obviously mean humanely raised veal once it hit commercial sales. Although the rose calf is the official name in the UK, in the US this calf can be called many names but is normally endorsed by an organization designed to prevent cruelty to animals.
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