New welfare standards for broiler chickens in the US
These set of standards that are part of NCC's Chicken Check program were launched for especially for consumers who will be able to access information regarding how their chicken is cared for and raised.
“NCC and its members remain wholly committed to advancing chicken welfare, continuous improvement, and consumer choice,” said Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. “But consumers today are constantly being bombarded with negatives on labeling – no preservatives, no hormones, no additives, no this, never that. Through our Chicken Guarantees, we want to provide the baseline principles that always hold true, no matter what chicken you eat.”
ORC International's recent survey indicates that 76% of Americans still mistakenly believe that there are added hormones or steroids present in most chicken meat, and 70% believe most chickens raised for meat are raised in cages. Further, nearly two-thirds (62%) of consumers said chicken labels and packaging were confusing.
The standards for the poultry producers are based on the following principles:
RAISED CAGE-FREE: The majority of broiler chickens in the U.S. are raised in large, climate-controlled and ventilated barns, where they’re free to move about, interact with other chickens and have 24-hour access to fresh food and water.
FREE OF ADDED HORMONES AND STEROIDS: It’s the law. The U.S. government has banned the use of hormones and steroids in poultry since the 1950s.
MONITORED BY LICENSED VETERINARIANS: Licensed veterinarians, who have a professional obligation to protect the chickens’ health and welfare, provide comprehensive health care programs for every commercial broiler chicken flock.
RAISED BY FARMERS TRAINED IN ANIMAL WELFARE: Farm owners are trained in handling and caring for chickens in order to provide a safe, healthy and low-stress environment. If farmers or their employees mistreat chickens, they are subject to immediate disciplinary action, including termination and prosecution.
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