Universal Registration Document Fiscal 2025

2.2.4.1 Business conduct (G1)

Animal welfare [G1-1]

STRATEGY, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Although Sodexo is not directly involved in the rearing, handling, transport, or processing of animals, it shares responsibility for their treatment within its supply chain. Recognizing animals as sentient beings, Sodexo supports the globally recognized “Five Freedoms” of animal welfare:

• Freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst
• Freedom from heat stress or physical discomfort
• Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
• Freedom to express normal patterns of behavior
• Freedom from fear and distress

Animal welfare is both an ethical duty and a sustainability driver. It enhances:

• Animal and human health by reducing disease and antimicrobial use.
• Environmental sustainability through efficient resource use.
• Socio-economic resilience by improving food quality and supporting livelihoods.
• Farmers well-being and long-term food system viability.

Sodexo’s animal welfare strategy demonstrates its commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable diets. Key targets include:

• 100% cage-free shell and liquid eggs by 2025.
• Full compliance with the European Chicken Commitment by 2026 in Europe.
• Adoption of the Better Chicken Commitment by 2028 in the US and Canada.

GOVERNANCE

At Sodexo, animal welfare topic is an integral part of the responsible sourcing strategy. Responsibility for managing and ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards across our global supply chains lies with our sustainability and supply management teams, as described in section 2.2.2 above.

ACTIONS

The implementation of this strategy includes, but is not limited to, the following aspects:

• Set and regularly review annual and country-specific objectives aimed at improving animal welfare throughout the supply chain
• Publicize whenever possible animal welfare standards, performance, achievements and targets
• Ensure that animal welfare is part of the group procurement requirements and addressed in supplier’s contractual specifications wherever appropriate by having our suppliers signed Sodexo Animal Welfare Supplier Charter
• Encourage and drive uptake of higher welfare animal products through appropriate communication to clients on key animal welfare issues

The Sodexo Animal Welfare Supplier Charter has been translated into 18 languages, making it accessible in the national languages of the countries where we operate. To date, more than 1,390 suppliers have signed the Sodexo Animal Welfare Supplier Charter.

Focus on broiler chicken

The BCC and ECC commitments are essential for food service companies like Sodexo, marking a major step toward better animal welfare, more humane farming, and meeting rising consumer demand for ethical sourcing.

Sodexo has collaborated with most of its European suppliers to refine its chicken procurement strategy, aiming to boost supply chain transparency and promote ethical, sustainable poultry practices.

As a founding member of the Global Coalition for Animal Welfare (GCAW), Sodexo leads the “broiler chicken” working group, contributing to shared knowledge on enrichments and key welfare outcomes.

Detailed information on Sodexo approach and results is available in the annual Animal Welfare Performance Report on Sodexo.com.

METRICS