Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 8/2/16


A new ad campaign released by Sanderson Farms Inc. stumps for the continued use of antibiotics in poultry production against what it calls “marketing gimmicks designed to mislead consumers and sell products at a higher price."

The campaign comes as competitors the likes of Perdue Farms, Tyson Foods and Pilgrim’s Pride make well-publicized moves to eliminate at least some amount of the antibiotics they use in their systems as consumer concerns around antimicrobial resistance intensify.

"At Sanderson Farms, we have a responsibility to empower consumers to make informed decisions by debunking the myths perpetuated through the media and the unfortunate use of misleading labels," Sanderson CEO and Chairman Joe Sanderson Jr. said in a news release. "Some in the industry, by way of their labels and advertising efforts, have misled consumers to believe that only their chicken is raised cage-free and is free of antibiotics and added hormones. The fact is that FDA regulations require all chicken made available for purchase be free of antibiotic residues, and the use of added hormones has been illegal since the 1950's."

"As long as scientific research indicates that antibiotics are safe and healthy, we'll continue to make the right decision when it comes to how we raise our chickens for our customers. Sanderson Farms' No. 1 priority continues to be providing our consumers with safe, wholesome, high-quality chicken," Sanderson added.

Sanderson Farms touts “responsible use” of antibiotics as supported by industry experts from veterinary scientists and nutritionists, as well as numerous industry associations.  

"The truth is, we have not seen any credible scientific research to support the idea that the judicious use of antibiotics in chicken contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans," said Dr. Phil Stayer, corporate veterinarian for Sanderson Farms. "At Sanderson Farms, we believe we have a moral responsibility to protect the welfare of our animals, and as veterinarians, we have taken an oath to relieve the suffering of animals, particularly those under our supervision. It's simply the humane thing to do."

"We have an obligation to our customers to raise healthy chickens, and in turn, provide a safe food supply," Dr. Stayer continued. "It has been proven that maintaining chicken flock health is directly related to improved food safety."

Sanderson Farms said it recognizes that antibiotic resistance is an issue to be taken seriously, but that many industry experts agree it is related to the overuse of antibiotics in humans as prescribed by hospitals and other medical institutions.

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