Pizza Express is serving halal chicken to all its customers on the quiet.
Only meat from birds that have had their throats slit while still alive, in accordance with Islamic traditions, is used in dishes.
The menu makes no mention of the issue and customers can find out only by checking the small print on the Pizza Express website – or by asking staff explicitly.
The firm, which has 434 restaurants across the UK, states on its website: ‘All our chicken is halal approved but it is important to note that all birds are stunned before being slaughtered.
‘Our chicken supplier is accredited by the British Retail Consortium. This means it meets the global standard for food safety and legality.’
A spokesman said: ‘Our chicken is halal approved. We serve halal chicken in all of our UK restaurants. Pizza Express is committed to animal welfare standards.
‘As such birds are stunned before being slaughtered. We are very happy to provide this information to our guests.
‘We spend a lot of time listening to our guests and do our best to cater to their needs. Whether this means creating vegan-friendly pizzas or serving halal chicken, we take their feedback seriously.’
The revelation has angered campaigners. Stephen Evans, of the National Secular Society, told The Sun: ‘Unsuspecting members of the public are routinely being duped into buying meat from religious slaughter methods.
‘Meat should be properly labelled, enabling consumers to make an informed choice about the food they’re buying, Daily Mail informs.
