Rolling out red tractor success

Red Tractor will be added to more products in supermarkets after Assured Food Standards responded to consumer demand and agreed to roll out the logo on more ranges.

The Red Tractor logo, which guarantees proper production standards and independent traceability back to the farm gate, will soon be seen on things like ready meals where the main ingredient is Red Tractor compliant and makes up at least 65 per cent of the finished product.

Widening the guidelines will give consumers more choice when choosing pre-packed products with multiple ingredients, with the Red Tractor guaranteeing food safety for the principal ingredient. For example:

· Assured lamb in stuffed lamb roast

· Assured mince beef and potato in cottage pie

· Assured pork in pork and leek sausage

· Assured milk in dairy products

Head of NFU Food and Farming Robin Tapper said: "This is a positive step forward for the Red Tractor scheme which gives consumers independent assurance right back to the farm gate. This means they can be confident about the major ingredients in added value foods they are buying as well as primary products.

"Extending the use of Red Tractor, which is supported by all the major retailers, will see the scheme gaining strength and recognition."