Sanderson Farms is disputing a lawsuit that accuses the company of falsely advertising poultry products as “100% Natural.” The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Center for Food Safety, the Organic Consumers Association and Friends of the Earth.
According to a press release issued by the three organizations that filed the suit, Sanderson Farms’ products described as being “100% Natural” or containing “nothing but chicken,” contain residues of human and animal antibiotics, other pharmaceuticals, hormones, steroids and pesticides.
In the complaint, filed on June 22 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the organizations seek an order enjoining Sanderson Farms from continuing its “100% Natural” marketing program.
Sanderson Farms statement
Sanderson Farms, which is the third largest poultry company in the United States, issued the following statement: “Sanderson Farms generally does not comment on pending litigation, but the allegations in this lawsuit bear upon food quality and safety. The company unequivocally states it does not administer the antibiotics, other chemicals and pesticides, or "other pharmaceuticals" listed in the complaint to its flocks, with one exception. To suggest otherwise is false and irresponsible. Company veterinarians do, on rare occasions, prescribe penicillin to treat sick poultry flocks when in their professional judgement they consider it necessary for animal welfare. Such medicines are given in accordance with
“In its 70-year history,
Firms representing plaintiffs
The organizations that have filed the complaints are being represented by Richman Law Group, Brooklyn, New York; Elsner Law & Policy, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Center for Food Safety.
The formal complain can be found on the Center for Food Safety website.