Dive Brief:
- USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released its first quarterly report for fiscal year 2016, and it included strikes against major meat processors.
- Out of the 6,400 plants FSIS continuously inspects, FSIS took administrative actions against 18 large plants, including 13 for inhumane treatment or slaughter violations.
- FSIS reported inhumane animal treatment at plants owned by Cargill Meats, Clemens Food Group, Tyson's Hillshire Brands, JBS, JBS Swift, Quality Pork Processors, Smithfield Farmland, Swift Pork Co., and Tyson Fresh Meats. FSIS took administrative actions against Tyson's plant in Logansport, IN, for inhumane treatment three times.
Dive Insight:
In October, advocacy group Mercy for Animals accused Tyson employees of allegedly committing acts of animal cruelty at a slaughterhouse outside Carthage, MS. In another undercover operation, the same group found alleged chicken abuse at Perdue Farms' contract growers Deese Farms and Hideaway Farms. Perdue Farms ended its relationship with those growers in January.
These incidents can damage a company's reputation, as consumers are increasingly concerned with transparency. More manufacturers are making commitments to using 100% cage-free eggs throughout their supply chain, including Kraft Heinz and Schwan Foods joining the growing list of companies earlier this week. Nestle, Kellogg, General Mills, Unilever, ConAgra, and Mondelez have also made these commitments.
Manufacturers have more opportunities to increase transparency to ease consumers' concerns. Implementing training programs to improve food safety and animal welfare demonstrate a willingness to improve company practices, especially if the company has received citations in the past.
