Barilla, an international maker of pasta, sauces and pasta-based entrees has adopted a broiler welfare policy that includes sourcing slower-growing broiler breeds that are approved by the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) or Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
The company, according to an October 31 announcement on its website, vowed to work with is suppliers to do the following:
- Transition to strains of birds approved by the RSPCA or GAP based on measurably improved welfare outcomes.
- Reduce stocking density to a maximum of 6 pounds per square foot and prohibit broiler cages.
- Provide birds with enriched environments, including litter, lighting, and enrichment that meets GAP’s new standards.
- Process chickens in a manner that avoids pre-stun handling and instead utilizes a multi-step controlled atmosphere processing system that induces an irreversible stun.
- Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via third-party auditing system.
Like all other companies to announce similar broiler welfare policies, Barilla has set a goal to have the new policy fully enacted by 2024.
The new policy will primarily affect Barilla entrée products. According to the company’s website, Barilla’s entrée products include Chicken Alfredo, Marinara Penne, Meat Sauce Gemelli, Italian Sausage and Tomato Rotini, Spicy Marinara Penne and Tomato and Basil Penne. The company also offers a variety of tomato, Alfredo and pesto sauces.
Barilla working toward cage-free egg goal
Barilla, in the same statement in which it announced its new broiler welfare policy, mentioned that it remained committed to its commitment to sourcing only cage-free eggs. In January 2016, the company announced that ambition, although it had already been exclusively sourcing cage-free eggs in its Le Emiliane pasta, its Mulino Bianco and Pavesi Bakery products since 2012.
Established in 1877, Barilla is an Italian family-owned food company with a presence in more than 100 countries.
