July 13, 2007

Wendy's tightens animal welfare rules for pork, chicken

Wendy's International Inc. (WEN) beefed up its animal welfare guidelines for its preferred sellers of pork and chicken to demonstrate its "long-term commitment to the principles of humane animal treatment."

The Dublin, Ohio, fast-food chain said it plans to plans to get 20 percent of its pork from farms that don't use gestation stalls, where pregnant sows are kept in single stalls or crates and not allowed to move around.

The company also plans to give purchasing preference to poultry farms that use gas to knock out chickens before they are processed.

The company said vendors that don't follow its guidelines are eliminated as preferred suppliers.