March 22, 2013

Foster Farms receives humane certification for chicken products

 

Fresh chicken products from US poultry company, Foster Farms, have received a humane certification from American Humane Association.

The American Humane Certified (AHC) programme is the US's first independent, third-party humane certification for farm animals. Foster Farms chicken products now bear the American Humane Certified seal for easy recognition by consumers.

The company announced the certification at the dedication of the new Foster Farms Poultry Education and Research Facility (PERF) at Fresno State's Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. The facility features a functional poultry barn modelled after a similar type found on Foster Farms ranches.

Beginning in 2012, the company's chicken production plants in California and the Pacific Northwest have implemented AHC programme standards and are participating in independent, third-party audits. The audits consist of more than 200 stringent criteria covering living conditions, diet and natural behaviours.

"While the actual certification is a new development for us, our commitment to raising chickens humanely has always been important to our company," said Foster Farms CEO, Ron Foster.