Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 5/12/10

Perdue Farms' "Humanely Raised" and "Raised Cage Free" labels on chicken product packaging are deceptive and should be removed, according to the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). Perdue disagrees.

"AWI asserts that the 'Humanely Raised' label mislead consumers about how Perdue treats chickens, and the 'Raised Cage Free' label deceptively suggests a special benefit, when in fact no producers raise meat chickens in cages," the group said in a news release announcing a letter AWI President Cathy Liss sent to Perdue CEO Jim Perdue.

AWI contends Perdue raises its chickens according to standards that "are no better" than those that apply to other major chicken producers. The group particularly takes issue with what it says are inadequate allowances for sunlight and fresh air.

"These standards, devised by Perdue and the National Chicken Council (NCC)…are not humane under any reasonable consumer understanding of the term," Liss said, adding Perdue's claim "is merely an attempt to profit from the growing number of consumers who seek a better alternative to factory-raised chicken."

In a statement e-mailed to Meatingplace, Perdue spokesman Luis Luna noted that Perdue is the first poultry company to be USDA Process Verified and the only one with third-party audits by the USDA to ensure humane treatment of its birds. The company's research, he said, showed consumers want added assurances that the chicken they buy for their families meet their quality standards.

"Consumers told us they regard the USDA Process Verified Program as being the most credible available today," Luna said. "We therefore developed several USDA Process Verified programs, including Humanely Raised and Raised Cage Free to respond to consumers' desire for more information."

Luna added, "The Perdue Farms Poultry Welfare Program includes the most appropriate, science- and experience-based standards for raising and processing poultry."

Cage free

AWI also argues the "Raised Caged Free" labels deceive consumers unfamiliar with modern animal husbandry.

"Meat chickens are not and have never been raised in cages under any typical industrial or small-scale production systems in the U.S.," said Dena Jones, AWI farm animal program manager. "Perdue's 'Raised Caged Free' claim serves no other purpose than to capitalize on the popularity of the 'cage free' label for eggs."

Luna responded by saying Perdue chickens are raised cage free, and are free to roam within temperature-controlled chicken houses that protect them from the elements, predators and disease, with access to food and water.

"Many consumers are confused about the living conditions of our chickens, and we feel the Raised Cage Free claim helps dispel confusion about poultry raising practices," he said.    

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