Frequently asked questions

When did the VanDrie Group start?

Jan van Drie bought his first newborn calf to raise in the early 1960s. Over time, the chain was created and the group is now the largest integrated calf business in the world, with more than 10 companies. The group is also still a company built on the best family traditions.

How did veal come into existence?

Veal arose long ago from the dairy industry. After all, a cow must have a calf every year to continue to provide milk.

How are the calves kept?

All calves in the VanDrie Group are housed in group accommodation in spacious, well-ventilated, well-lit stalls.

Why group accommodation?

Cattle, including calves, are herd animals. Their inherent behaviour means that they feel best in a herd. Keeping the calves in group accommodation means that they can grow up in a herd.

Are the calves in the stalls well looked after?

Yes, the calves are certainly well looked after. To begin with, the calf farmers are at the stalls all day and the group has specialised assistants to support the calf farmers in their work. Furthermore, the SKV (veal calf quality guarantee foundation) checks the calf farmers and calves.

What are calves fed?

The calves are given calf milk based on calf milk powder, which is produced in the group?s integrated supply chain. They are also fed roughage. This means they can develop well and engage in their instinctive behaviour, i.e., chewing the cud.

Are samples taken from the calves?

Random samples, including urine samples, are taken from the calves. The samples are tested by TNO in Zeist for the absence of prohibited substances.

What is the basis of calf milk powder?

The basis of calf milk powder is skim milk powder and whey, which are both products from the dairy industry. This is a high-quality pure raw material under strict supervision.

Is the calf milk powder traceable?

Yes. All materials provided for the production of calf milk powder are traceable. Samples are taken before the raw materials are unloaded. Unloading occurs only after a positive result and the sample results are retained, including information on origin. After calf milk powder is produced, samples are taken again and records are made of which calf farmers receive which batches. Calf milk powder can be traced from the calf farmer to the raw material supplier.

At what age are the calves slaughtered?

Calves that are Group Grown are between 26 and 28 weeks at the time of slaughtering. Friander calves are between 34 and 36 weeks.

Can you supply everything?

Yes, as long as it has to do with veal. Clients can indicate how they wish to receive the veal. This can vary from carcasses, technical parts in basic cuts or kitchen ready, portioned, fresh or deep-frozen, to pre-cooked veal.

How is a carcass cut in general?

Please see the group's site on cuts: www.vealcuts.com 

Is the veal traceable?

Yes, all our veal is covered by the tracking and tracing system.

The basis of this is the unique ear tag number assigned to the calf after it is born. Its complete history is linked to this number. After the slaughtering, the ear number is scanned. All data available at that time will be uploaded into the hook and the data that will be known at a later date, such as colour, fat covering and weight, will be added. At the time the carcass is divided, all data from the hook will be transferred to a transponder in the crate. During packing, the label with relevant data is printed out and packed with the meat. This makes it possible to trace from the point of sale of the meat to the calf.

Is there a food safety programme?

Yes, it is known within the group as Safety Guard. Safety Guard applies to all companies in the chain. At the individual companies, the following quality and checking systems are applied and/or the following checking and registration authorities are involved, such as HACCP, GMP, GVP, ISO, BRC, IKB, NRS, SKV, RVV, AID, CBS, Halal certification, SGS, Lloyd?s, Deltacon, Sanitel, IKV, DSV. Safety Guard ensures that all existing quality assurance systems are linked to each other. The system ensures food safety.

Is the veal tracking transparent?

The group has made it transparent by offering its tracking system to clients through www.vealvision.com. Based on the calf?s unique ID code, the client can trace veal to the calf over the Internet and even have a digital introduction to the calf farm where the calf grew up.

What do you do with the hides?

Hide processing also has a place within the integral production chain. After processing and classification, the hides are stored at the perfect preservation temperature. Supplying the hides is also part of the group?s sales philosophy: always being able to deliver what the client wants.