CHICAGO, Aug. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands,
Inc. (CAG), one of North America's
leading branded food companies, today announced it will take steps
to implement higher standards for the treatment of broiler chickens
in its supply chain sourcing practices. The company collaborated
with the Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS) on the new goals, which are an expansion to
Conagra's existing broiler chicken policy.
"Conagra Brands is committed to the humane treatment of animals
and our belief is that creating quality food for our consumers is
more than just putting ingredients together, it also includes how
we source those ingredients," said Dave
Biegger, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Conagra Brands. "We're
proud to work with the Humane Society of the United States as well as others in the
food industry to take meaningful steps towards positive change in
broiler chicken welfare practices."
"The Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS) applauds Conagra for addressing the most
pressing concerns related to chicken meat production," said
Josh Balk, vice president of farm
animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States. "We're enthusiastic about
our long relationship with Conagra and look forward to continuing
our work together throughout 2019 and beyond."
Conagra Brands will work with its suppliers, peers and other
external stakeholders in an effort to help achieve the
following improvements in the treatment of broiler chickens by
2024:
- Source 100% of chicken used in products from either Royal
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) or Global
Animal Partnership (GAP)-approved breeds or strains.
- Offer improved environments that meet GAP standards for better
lighting, litter quality and other enrichments.
- Provide birds with more space to perform natural behaviors,
including a stocking density of no greater than six pounds per
square foot and no use of broiler cages.
- Employ a multi-step controlled atmosphere processing system and
avoid live-shackling or live-dumping.
- Track supplier compliance via third-party auditing.
Adds Biegger, "We recognize that our 2024 goals require
industry-wide partnership to succeed and we will collaborate across
our value chain to further animal welfare while preserving consumer
access to quality, affordable food."
About Conagra Brands
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:
CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is
one of North America's leading
branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit,
Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a
sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving
to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic
brands, such as Marie Callender's®,
Reddi-wip®, Hunt's®, Healthy Choice®, Slim Jim® and Orville Redenbacher's®, as well as emerging
brands, including Alexia®, Blake's®, Frontera®, Duke's® and
Angie's® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, offer choices for every occasion. For more
information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.
For more
information, please contact:
MEDIA:
Mike Cummins
312-549-5257
michael.cummins@conagra.com
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SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.