View source for Veal

{{short description|Meat of young cattle}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
[[File:Holstein cow with one-day calf 01.jpg|thumb|Veal is the meat from calves, often dairy breeds]]
[[File:Veal-shank.jpg|thumb|A cut of veal [[Shank (meat)|shank]]]]
[[File:MIN Rungis viandes de boucherie veau.jpg|thumb|Veal carcasses at the [[Marché d'Intérêt National de Rungis|Rungis International Market]], France (2011)]]
'''Veal''' is the meat of <!--NOTE: All dictionaries cited at dictionary.com say that it is from calves, not lambs. Please do not change this without talk page consensus. --> [[Calf (animal)|calves]], in contrast to the [[beef]] from older cattle. Veal can be produced from a calf of either sex and any [[List of cattle breeds|breed]]; however, most veal comes from young male calves of [[Dairy cattle|dairy breeds]] which are not used for breeding.<ref name=vealfaq>{{Cite web|url=https://www.veal.org/explore/veals-journey/|title=Veal's Journey from Farm to Food to You|website=Cattlemen's Beef Board|access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name=guide>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O3PXbQMsKFYC&pg=PA197|title=The Complete Guide to Grass-Fed Cattle: How to Raise Your Cattle on Natural Grass for Fun and Profit|last=Bennett|first=Jacob M.|date=2010|publisher=[[Atlantic Publishing]]|isbn=9781601383808|language=en|page=197}}</ref> Generally, veal is more expensive by mass than beef from older cattle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Making sure you're not a bot! |url=https://www.iastatedigitalpress.com/mmb/article/16989/galley/15830/view/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=www.iastatedigitalpress.com}}</ref> Veal production is a way to add value to dairy bull calves and to utilize [[whey]] solids, a byproduct from the manufacturing of [[cheese]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Whey Utilization in Animal Feeding: A Summary and Evaluation 1, 2|date=March 1, 1976|journal=Journal of Dairy Science|volume=59|issue=3|pages=556–570|doi=10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(76)84240-3|doi-access=free|last1=Schingoethe |first1=David J. }}</ref>

==Definitions and types==
[[File:4-16-08 counsil ranch Dianes 164.jpg|thumb|right|Free-raised calves]]
{{redirect|Bob veal|the baseball player|Bob Veale}}
There are several types of veal, and terminology varies by country.

{{glossary start}}
{{term|Bob veal}}
{{defn|Calves slaughtered as early as 2 hours or 2–3 days old (at most 1 month old), yielding carcasses weighing from to {{convert|9-27|kg|lb|abbr=off}}.<ref name="veal fabricatiom">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/meat-processing/Labels-and-standards#ref501778|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408122436/https://www.britannica.com/technology/meat-processing/Labels-and-standards |archive-date=2019-04-08|title=Veal fabrication |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2019-04-08 }}</ref>}}

{{term|Formula-fed ("milk-fed", "special-fed" or "white") veal}}
{{defn|Calves are raised on a fortified milk formula diet plus solid feed. The majority of veal meat produced in the US are from milk-fed calves. The meat colour is ivory or creamy pink, with a firm, fine, and velvety appearance. In Canada, calves intended for the milk-fed veal stream are usually slaughtered when they reach 20 to 24 weeks of age, weighing {{convert|450|to|500|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioveal.on.ca/all_about_veal/vealquestions.html |title=Milk-fed veal definition |publisher=Ontario Veal Association |access-date=2013-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526183205/http://www.ontarioveal.on.ca/all_about_veal/vealquestions.html |archive-date=2013-05-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

{{term|Nonformula-fed ("red" or "grain-fed") veal}}
{{defn|Calves raised on grain, hay, or other solid food, in addition to milk. The meat is darker in colour, and some additional marbling and fat may be apparent. In Canada, the grain-fed veal stream is usually marketed as calf, rather than veal. The calves are slaughtered at 22 to 26 weeks of age weighing {{convert|650|to|700|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carc-crac.ca/english/codes_of_practice/vealcde.htm |title=''Grain fed veal'' definition in Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals |date=1998 |website=carc-crac.ca |publisher=[[Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada|Canadian Agri-Food Research Council]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806192405/http://www.carc-crac.ca/english/codes_of_practice/vealcde.htm |archive-date=August 6, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

{{term|Young beef (in Europe; "rose veal" in the UK)}}
{{defn|Calves raised on farms in association with the UK [[Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]]' Freedom Food programme.<ref>[http://www.rspca.org.uk/freedomfood Freedom Food programme]</ref> The name comes from the pink colour, which is partly a result of the calves being slaughtered later at about 35 weeks of age.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/living/food_and_drink/news/article1269468.ece | title= The ethics of eating: The appeal of veal | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071012074555/http://www.independent.co.uk/living/food_and_drink/news/article1269468.ece |archive-date= 2007-10-12 | first= Martin |last=Hickman | date= September 2, 2006| url-status= dead | publisher= Independent News and Media Limited}}</ref>}}
<!--
{{term|Pasture-raised veal}} (needs definition -->
{{glossary end}}

Similar terms are used in the US, including calf, bob, intermediate, milk-fed, and special-fed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/IMPS_300_Fresh_Veal_%26_Calf%5B1%5D.pdf|title=Institutional Meat Product Specifications 300 Fresh Veal and Calf|website=[[Agricultural Marketing Service|USDA Agricultural Marketing Service]]|date=November 7, 2014|access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name=fsisusda>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat-catfish/veal-farm-table|title=Veal from Farm to Table|website=[[Food Safety and Inspection Service|USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service]]|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=August 23, 2021|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310020351/https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/veal-farm-table|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Culinary uses==
{{see also|List of veal dishes}}
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In [[Italian cuisine|Italian]], [[French cuisine|French]] and other [[Mediterranean cuisine]]s, veal is considered a [[delicacy]], often in the form of cutlets, such as the Italian ''[[cotoletta]]'' or the famous Austrian dish [[Wiener schnitzel]]. Some classic French veal dishes include fried ''[[escalopes]]'', fried veal ''grenadines'' (small, thick fillet steaks), stuffed ''[[paupiette]]s'', roast joints, and ''[[Blanquette de veau|blanquette]]s''. Because veal is lower in fat than many meats, care must be taken in preparation to ensure that it does not become tough. Veal is often coated in preparation for frying or eaten with a sauce. [[Parmigiana|Veal parmigiana]] is a common Italian-American dish made with breaded veal cutlets.

In addition to providing meat, the bones of calves are used to make a [[Stock (food)|stock]] that forms the base for sauces and soups such as [[demi-glace]]. Calf stomachs are also used to produce [[rennet]], which is used in the production of cheese.<!-- USDA definition --> Calf [[offal]] is also widely regarded as the most prized animal offal.<ref>Montagné, P.: ''New Concise Larousse Gatronomique'', page 1233. Hamlyn, 2007.</ref>

==Production==
Male dairy calves are commonly used for veal production as they do not lactate and are therefore surplus to the requirements of the dairy industry. Newborn veal calves are generally separated from the cow within three days.<ref name=fsisusda /><ref name=guide /> Calves are sometimes raised in individual stalls for the first several weeks as a sort of quarantine,<ref name=fsisusda /> and then moved to groupings of two or more calves.

Milk-fed veal calves consume a diet consisting of milk replacer, formulated with mostly milk-based proteins and added vitamins and minerals supplemented with solid feeds. This type of diet is similar to [[infant formula]] and is also one of the most common diets used for calves in the veal industry.<ref name=vealexplore>{{Cite web|url=https://www.veal.org/explore/|title=High Quality Meat Starts at the Farm|website=Cattlemen's Beef Board|access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref> Grain-fed calves normally consume a diet of milk replacer for the first six to eight weeks and then move on to a mostly corn-based diet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/beef/facts/06-083.htm#nutritional|title=Management of Grain-Fed Veal Calves|language=en-ca|access-date=2018-02-23|date=28 September 2015|website=[[Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Ontario)]]}}</ref>

A farm veterinarian creates and provides a health program for the herd. Veal calves need proper amounts of water, adequate nutrition, and safe and comfortable environments to thrive.<ref name=vealexplore />

==Animal welfare==
Veal production has been a controversial topic. The ethics of veal production have been challenged by [[animal welfare]] advocates and some methods are cited as [[Cruelty to animals|animal cruelty]] by multiple animal welfare organizations. These organizations and some of their members consider several practices and procedures of veal production to be inhumane. Public efforts by these organizations are placing pressure on the veal industry to change some of its methods.<ref name="HSUSW"/><ref name="HSUS2016">{{cite web|date=March 22, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016|title=Veal crates|publisher=[[Humane World for Animals|The Humane Society of the United States]]|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/facts/veal.html?credit=web_id65483799|archive-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510183825/http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/facts/veal.html?credit=web_id65483799|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="McKenna">{{cite web|title=The case against the veal crate: An examination of the scientific evidence that led to the banning of the veal crate system in the EU and of the alternative group housed systems that are better for calves, farmers and consumers|author=McKenna, C.|publisher=[[Compassion in World Farming]]|year=2001|access-date=April 19, 2016|url=https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/3818635/case-against-the-veal-crate.pdf|archive-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510151902/https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/3818635/case-against-the-veal-crate.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some of these practices are relevant to both group and individual housing systems.

=== Restricted space ===
[[File:Veal Cows.jpg|thumb|These calves are chained by their neck, with limited space per calf.]]
In the past, one aspect of veal production cited as cruelty in the industry was the lack of space veal calves were provided. Space was often deliberately restricted by the producer to stop the animal from exercising, as exercise was thought to make the meat turn redder and tougher.<ref name="Independent1995">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe-plan-for-ban-on-veal-crates-1525606.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=April 19, 2016|title=Europe plan for ban on veal crates|first=Catherine|last=Butler|date=December 14, 1995|url-access=subscription|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107164640/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe-plan-for-ban-on-veal-crates-1525606.html}}</ref> Modern veal production facilities in the US allow sufficient room for the calf to lie down, stand, stretch, and groom itself.<ref name=fsisusda />

=== Abnormal gut development ===
Some systems of veal production rear calves that are denied access to any solid feed and are fed a liquid milk replacer.<ref name="CIWF" /> They may also be deprived of bedding to prevent them from eating it. This dietary restriction completely distorts the normal development of the [[rumen]] and predisposes the calf to infectious [[enteritis]] (scouring or diarrhea) and chronic indigestion.<ref name="BCSPCA" /> Furthermore, calves with an underdeveloped gut are more likely to be found to have [[Hairball|hairballs]] in the rumen at slaughter; the accumulation of hairballs in the rumen can impair digestion.<ref name="McKenna" />

=== Abnormal behaviours ===
Rearing calves in deprived conditions without a teat can lead to the development of abnormal oral behaviour. Some of these may develop into [[Stereotypy (non-human)|oral stereotypies]] such as sucking, licking or biting inanimate objects, and by tongue rolling and tongue playing. "Purposeless oral activity" occupies 15% of the time in crated calves but only 2–3% in group-housed calves.<ref name="McKenna" />

=== Increased disease susceptibility ===
Veal calves' dietary intake of iron was restricted to achieve a target [[haemoglobin]] concentration of around 4.6{{nbsp}}mmol/L;<ref name="CIWF" /> normal concentration of haemoglobin in the blood is greater than 7{{nbsp}}mmol/L. Calves with blood haemoglobin concentrations of below 4.5{{nbsp}}mmol/L may show signs of increased disease susceptibility and [[immunosuppression]].<ref name="McKenna" />

Alternative agricultural uses for male dairy calves include raising bob veal (generally slaughtered at 2–3 days old, though age may be as young as 2 hours or at most 1 month old),<ref name="veal fabricatiom"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanefood.ca/pdf%20links/Vealfacts.pdf |title=Facts About Our Food – Veal |date=2004 |website=humanefood.ca |publisher=Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706182857/http://www.humanefood.ca/pdf%20links/Vealfacts.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref> raising calves as "red veal" without the severe dietary restrictions needed to create pale meat (requiring fewer antibiotic treatments and resulting in lower calf mortality),<ref>Sargeant JM, Blackwell TE, Martin W, et al. Production indicates, calf health and mortality on seven red veal farms in Ontario. Can J Vet Res 1994;58:196-201.</ref> and as dairy beef.<ref>Maas J, Robinson PH. Preparing Holstein steer calves for the feedlot. Vet Clin Food Anim 2007;23:269-279</ref>

In 2008 to 2009 in the US, the demand for free-raised veal rose rapidly.<ref name=wpost/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/strauss_and_marcho_veal_crates.html |title=Strauss Veal and Marcho Farms Eliminating Confinement by Crate |date=February 22, 2007 |website=hsus.org |publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812113517/http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/strauss_and_marcho_veal_crates.html |archive-date=August 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Veal crates ===
[[File:Calves.JPG|thumb|[[Holstein Friesian|Holstein]] calves in individual crates]]
Veal crates are a close-confinement system of raising veal calves. Many calves raised for veal, including in Canada and the US, were confined in crates which typically measure approximately {{cvt|66-76|cm|ftin|frac=2}} wide.<ref name="HSI">{{cite web|url=http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/work/intensive-confinement/facts/veal-crates-canada-facts.html|author=Humane Society International|publisher=[[Humane Society International]]|title=Fast facts on veal crates in Canada|date=April 9, 2014|access-date=April 19, 2016|archive-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427122458/http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/work/intensive-confinement/facts/veal-crates-canada-facts.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BCSPCA" /> The calves were housed individually and the crates may prevent physical contact between adjacent calves, and sometimes also visual contact.<ref name="BCSPCA">{{cite web|publisher=British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals|year=2012|title=Calf in a box: Individual confinement housing used in veal production|author1=Greter, A.|author2=Levison, L.|name-list-style=amp|access-date=April 19, 2016|url=http://www.spca.bc.ca/assets/documents/welfare/.../june-2012-feature-story.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In the past, crated calves were often tied to the front of the crate with a tether which restricted movement.<ref name="HSUS2016" /><ref name="BCSPCA" /><ref name="HSUSreport">{{cite web|publisher=[[Humane World for Animals|The Humane Society of the United States]]|title=An HSUS Report: The Welfare of Intensively Confined Animals in Battery Cages, Gestation Crates, and Veal Crates|access-date=April 19, 2016|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/farm/hsus-the-welfare-of-intensively-confined-animals.pdf|year=2012|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404032857/http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/farm/hsus-the-welfare-of-intensively-confined-animals.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Floors were often slatted and sloped, allowing urine and manure to fall under the crate to help maintain a clean environment for the calf. In some veal crate systems, the calves were also kept in the dark without bedding and fed nothing but milk.<ref name="Bentham" /><ref name="Atkins" /> Veal crates were designed to limit movement of the animal because it was believed by producers that the meat would turn redder and tougher if the animals were allowed to exercise.<ref name="Independent1995" /> The diet was sometimes highly regulated to control sources of iron, which again makes the meat redder.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

In the US, the use of tethers in veal crates to prevent movement by veal calves was a principal source of controversy in veal farming.<ref name="wpost">Black, Jane (October 28, 2009). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/27/AR2009102700563.html "The kinder side of veal"]. ''[[Washington Post]]''.</ref><ref name="NYTIMESV">{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/18/dining/18veal.html | title = Veal to Love, Without the Guilt | work = [[The New York Times]] | first=Marian | last=Burros | date=April 18, 2007}}</ref> Veal tethering is criticized because the ability of the calves to move is highly restricted; the crates may have unsuitable flooring; the calves spend their entire lives indoors, experience prolonged sensory, social, and exploratory deprivation; and the calves are more susceptible to high amounts of stress and disease.<ref name="HSUSW"/>

===Cruelty to calves===
Calves need to exercise to ensure normal bone and muscle development. Calves at pasture not only walk but also run about, jump and play. Calves in veal crates cannot turn around, walk or run; this results in calves that may stumble or have difficulty walking when finally taken for slaughter. There is a general increase in knee and [[Hock (anatomy)|hock]] swelling as crate width decreases.<ref name="McKenna" />

Under natural conditions calves continue to suckle 3 to 6 times a day for up to 5 months.<ref name="McKenna" /> Veal crates prevent this social interaction. Furthermore, some calves were reared in crates with solid walls that prevent visual or tactile contact with their neighbours. It has been shown that calves will work for social contact with other calves.<ref name="HSUSreport" />

To maintain personal hygiene and help prevent disease, calves lick themselves to groom; cattle naturally lick all the parts of their body they can reach. However, tethering prevents calves from licking the hind parts of their body. Excessive licking of the forelegs (another abnormal behaviour) is common in stall and tether systems.<ref name="HSUSreport" />

In the US, young milk-fed veal calves may be raised in individual pens up to a maximum of ten weeks of age and are typically in visual and tactile contact with their neighbors. Milk-fed veal calves are never tethered, allowing them to easily groom themselves.<ref name="vealfarmQA" />

===Drug use===
[[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA) regulations do not permit the use of hormones on veal calves for any reason. They do, however, permit the use of antibiotics in veal raising to treat or prevent disease.<ref name=fsisusda /><ref name="vealfarmQA" />

In 2004, the USDA expressed concern that the use of illegal drugs might be widespread in the veal industry.<ref name="USATODAY"/> In 2004, a USDA official found a lump on a veal calf in a Wisconsin veal farm, which turned out to be an illegal hormone implant.<ref name=USATODAY>{{cite news|last=Weise |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-03-28-veal-usat_x.htm |title=Illegal hormones found in veal calves|newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=March 28, 2004 |access-date= 2013-08-12}}</ref> In 2004, the USDA stated that "[[Penicillin]] is not used in calf raising: [[tetracycline]] has been approved, but is not widely used."<ref name=fsisusda />

==Crate bans==
===Europe===
In 1990, the British government banned transporting calves in close-confinement crates.<ref name="Bentham">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/sep/05/foodanddrink.allegramcevedy|title=Veal, without the cruelty|author=Bentham J.|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=April 15, 2016|date=September 5, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Atkins">{{cite news|title=For the love of veal|author=Atkins, L.|newspaper=The Guardian|date=July 28, 2000}}</ref> Veal crates were banned across the [[European Union]] (EU) in January 2007.<ref name="CIWF">{{cite web|author=Compassion In World Farming|title=About calves reared for veal|url=http://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/cows/veal-calves/|access-date=April 15, 2016|publisher=[[Compassion In World Farming]]|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518074915/http://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/cows/veal-calves/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/factory_farming/colorado_bans_veal_crates.aspx |title=CIWF on Veal Crates (''UK ban on bottom of page'') |publisher=CIWF.org.uk |date=2008-05-19 |access-date=2013-08-12 |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121143733/http://ciwf.org.uk/news/factory_farming/colorado_bans_veal_crates.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Veal: A Byproduct of the Cruel Dairy Industry">{{cite web|url=http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/animals-used-food-factsheets/veal-byproduct-cruel-dairy-industry/|title=Veal: A Byproduct of the Cruel Dairy Industry|website=peta.org|date=December 16, 2003 |access-date=21 April 2018}}</ref>

Veal calf production, as such, is not allowed in many northern European countries, such as in Finland. In Finland, giving feed, drink or other nutrition which is known to be dangerous to an animal which is being cared for is prohibited, as well as failing to give nutrients the lack of which is known to cause the animal to fall ill. The Finnish Animal Welfare Act of 1996<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1996/en19960247.pdf|title=Finnish Animal Welfare Act of 1996|access-date=August 15, 2011|archive-date=August 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819081722/http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1996/en19960247.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Finnish Animal Welfare Decree of 1996<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1996/en19960396.pdf|title=The Finnish Animal Welfare Decree of 1996|access-date=August 15, 2011|archive-date=October 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011211819/http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1996/en19960396.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> provided general guidelines for the housing and care of animals, and effectively banned veal crates in Finland. Veal crates are not specifically banned in Switzerland, but most calves are raised outdoors.<ref>{{cite web|title=Natura Veal|url=http://www.mutterkuh.ch/en/natura-veal/|access-date=20 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027210500/http://www.mutterkuh.ch/en/natura-veal/|archive-date=27 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=swiss meat – animal protection|url=http://www.schweizerfleisch.ch/en/swiss-meat/agriculture-and-animals/animal-protection/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131020154124/http://www.schweizerfleisch.ch/en/swiss-meat/agriculture-and-animals/animal-protection/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2013|access-date=20 October 2013}}</ref>

===United States===
{{US Veal Crate Ban Map}}
In 2007, the American Veal Association passed a resolution encouraging the entire industry to phase out tethered crate-confinement of calves by 2017, a goal that was met by all milk-fed veal farmers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/timelines/timeline_farm_animal_protection.html|title=Timeline of Major Farm Animal Protection Advancements|date=8 September 2014|access-date=7 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303041251/http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/timelines/timeline_farm_animal_protection.html|archive-date=3 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="vealfarmQA" />

{{As of|2015}}, eight U.S. states ban tethering of calves in veal crates. Nationally, several large veal producers and the American Veal Association are also working to phase out the industry use of tethered veal crates. {{As of|2017}}, all American Veal Association members are raising calves in tether-free pens and all veal calves are housed in group pens by the time they are 10 weeks of age.

State-by-state veal crate bans are as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/facts/veal.html|title=Veal Crates: Unnecessary and Cruel|date=22 February 2013|access-date=7 March 2015|archive-date=February 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228175738/http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/facts/veal.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Arizona]] (since 2006, a part of [[Proposition 204]])<ref>[http://www.satyamag.com/apr07/shapiro.html "Arizona Makes History for Farm Animals"] May 2007</ref>
* [[California]] (effective 2015, a part of [[California Proposition 2 (2008)|Proposition 2]])
* [[Colorado]] (since 2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/factory_farming/colorado_bans_veal_crates.aspx |title="Colorado bans the veal crate and the gestation crate", Compassion in world farming |publisher=Ciwf.org.uk |date=2008-05-19 |access-date=2013-08-12 |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121143733/http://ciwf.org.uk/news/factory_farming/colorado_bans_veal_crates.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Kentucky]] (passed in 2014, the Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission issued a decision to begin a phase-out period of four years and that by 2018 veal crates will be eliminated from Kentucky farms)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=6428&catId=8|title=Kentucky Bans the Use of Veal Crates on Farms|website=vegnews.com|access-date=21 April 2018}}</ref>
* [[Maine]] (since 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exceptionmag.com/news/law/000966/maine-bans-veal-crates |title=Maine Bans Veal Crates |date=May 13, 2009 |work=[[The Exception Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517010838/http://exceptionmag.com/news/law/000966/maine-bans-veal-crates |archive-date=2009-05-17 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Michigan]] (effective 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=3804 |title=Michigan Adopts Law to Ban Gestation Stalls |publisher=Aasv.org |date=2009-10-14 |access-date=2013-08-12}}</ref>
* [[Ohio]] (passed 2010, effective 2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/06/landmark_ohio_agreement_063010.html?credit=web_id162026231|title=Landmark Ohio Animal Welfare Agreement Reached Among HSUS, Ohioans for Humane Farms, Gov. Strickland, and Leading Livestock Organizations|date=30 June 2010|access-date=7 March 2015|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904031010/http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/06/landmark_ohio_agreement_063010.html?credit=web_id162026231|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Rhode Island]] (since July 2013)<ref>{{cite web |first= Erica |last= Meier |url= http://www.cok.net/blog/2012/06/victory-rhode-island-bans-gestation-crates-veal-crates-and-tail-docking-cows/ |title= Victory: Rhode Island Bans Gestation Crates, Veal Crates, and Tail-Docking of Cows |publisher= Cok.net |date= June 21, 2012 |access-date= 2013-08-12 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130820194647/http://www.cok.net/blog/2012/06/victory-rhode-island-bans-gestation-crates-veal-crates-and-tail-docking-cows/ |archive-date= August 20, 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Current active legislation in:{{update after|2015|12|31}}
* [[New York (state)|New York]] (proposed in January 2013 and 2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2013/A424 |title=Assembly Bill A424 |publisher=[[New York State Senate]] |website=nysenate.gov |date=January 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120902/http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A424-2013 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Massachusetts]] (House<ref>{{cite web |first= Jason |last= Lewis |url= https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H1456 |title= Bill H.1456 An Act to prevent farm animal cruelty |access-date= 2013-10-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061123/https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H1456 |archive-date= 2013-10-23 |url-status= dead }}</ref> and Senate<ref>{{cite web |first= Robert |last= Hedlund |url= https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S741 |title= Bill S.741 An Act to prevent farm animal cruelty |access-date= 2013-10-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131023063057/https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S741 |archive-date= 2013-10-23 |url-status= dead }}</ref> bills filed annually since 2009; current bills would take effect one year after passage)

== Nutrition and health effects ==
Veal is a form of [[red meat]]. Red meat is a good source of protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Meinilä |first=Jelena |last2=Virtanen |first2=Jyrki K. |date=2024-02-21 |title=Meat and meat products – a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 |url=https://foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/10538 |journal=Food & Nutrition Research |language=en |doi=10.29219/fnr.v68.10538 |issn=1654-661X |pmc=10916397 |pmid=38449706}}</ref> According to the [[International Agency for Research on Cancer]] (IARC), unprocessed red meat probably causes cancer, particularly [[colorectal cancer]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=26 October 2015 |title=Cancer: Carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/cancer-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=World Health Organization |language=en}}</ref> Studies have also linked red meat with higher risks of [[cardiovascular disease]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Shi |first=Wenming |last2=Huang |first2=Xin |last3=Schooling |first3=C. Mary |last4=Zhao |first4=Jie V. |date=2023-07-21 |title=Red meat consumption, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37264855 |journal=European Heart Journal |volume=44 |issue=28 |pages=2626–2635 |doi=10.1093/eurheartj/ehad336 |issn=1522-9645 |pmid=37264855}}</ref> and [[type 2 diabetes]].<ref name=":31">{{Cite journal |first1=Chunxiao |last1=Li |first2=Tom R. P. |last2=Bishop |first3=Fumiaki |last3=Imamura |first4=Stephen J. |last4=Sharp |first5=Matthew |last5=Pearce |first6=Soren |last6=Brage |display-authors=et al |date=1 September 2024 |title=Meat consumption and incident type 2 diabetes: an individual-participant federated meta-analysis of 1·97 million adults with 100 000 incident cases from 31 cohorts in 20 countries |url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(24)00179-7/fulltext |journal=The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology |language=English |volume=12 |issue=9 |pages=619–630 |doi=10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00179-7 |issn=2213-8587 |pmid=39174161}}</ref> If meat is [[Processed meat|processed]], such as by salting, curing, or smoking, health risks further increase.<ref name=":0" /> The [[World Cancer Research Fund]] recommends limiting red meat to no more than three servings per week.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Limit consumption of red and processed meat: Recommendation evidence |url=https://www.wcrf.org/research-policy/evidence-for-our-recommendations/limit-red-processed-meat/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=World Cancer Research Fund |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Food}}
* [[List of beef dishes]]
* [[List of veal dishes]]
* [[Cow-calf separation]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=HSUSW>{{cite web|url=http://www.hsus.org/farm/resources/research/welfare/welfare_veal_calves.html |title=An HSUS Report: The Welfare of Animals in the Veal Industry |date=2009-05-08 |website=hsus.org |publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030024825/http://www.hsus.org/farm/resources/research/welfare/welfare_veal_calves.html |archive-date=October 30, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="vealfarmQA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vealfarm.com/questions-and-answers|title=Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about veal farming|website=vealfarm.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724215510/https://www.vealfarm.com/questions-and-answers|archive-date=July 24, 2019}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
* Costa, J.H.C., von Keyserlingk, M.A.G. and Weary, D.M. (2016). [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030216001405 Invited review: Effects of group housing of dairy calves on behavior, cognition, performance, and health.] Journal of Dairy Science, 99(4), 2453–2467.

==External links==
{{cookbook}}
{{Wiktionary}}
*[http://www.veal.org Veal.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824090857/https://www.veal.org/ |date=August 24, 2021 }} — From the Cattlemen's Beef Board (USA)

{{Beef}}
{{Meat}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Veal| ]]
[[Category:Beef]]