September 26, 2007

Hardee's, Carl's Jr to buy eggs, pork from cage-free suppliers

Fast food chains Hardee's and Carl's Jr. will begin purchasing eggs and pork from suppliers who do not keep animals in cages or crates, spokesmen for Hardee's and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said Wednesday.

Both chains are owned by Carpinteria, California-based CKE Restaurants Inc. (CKR). Hardee's is based in St. Louis, while Carl's Jr. headquarters are in Carpinteria.

The agreement aims to improve the welfare of animals that provide food for the 1,905 Hardee's restaurants and 1,101 Carl's Jr. restaurants, said Jeff Mochal, a spokesman for Hardee's. 

CKE has agreed to:

--Immediately begin purchasing 15 percent of its pork from suppliers that do not use metal "gestation crates" to confine sows, and increase that to 25 percent by 2009.

--Purchase 2 percent of its eggs from suppliers whose hens are not kept in wire cages by July 2008.

--Issue a statement to poultry suppliers stating it will "give consideration to approved suppliers who actively explore and test controlled-atmosphere stunning systems," which animal rights groups consider the most humane way to slaughter chickens.