Papa John’s and Pita Pit became the two most recent restaurant chains to commit to sourcing only broilers raised according to Global Animal Partnership (GAP) standards.
Both restaurant chains have committed to complete the transition by 2024.
The two companies, in animal welfare policies recently published on their websites, called for nearly identical criteria involving their broiler supply chain, including:
- Use new broiler breeds recognized as having higher welfare outcomes
- Provide birds more space (reduced stocking density)
- Provide improved environments, including litter, lighting and enrichment
- Ensure birds are processed using multi-step controlled atmospheric stunning.
The companies also stated: “The advancements around breed and stocking density will align with the requirements of the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or Global Animal Partnership (GAP), and the advancements around improved environments will align with GAP’s new standards. Once these advancements are in place, suppliers will be required to demonstrate compliance via third party auditing.”
Other commitments from Pita Pit
Pita Pit’s announcement also included statements that it will only source pork from farms that do not use gestation stalls and beef from enriched pasture environments on “animal-centric Canadian farms.” Pita Pit originated in Canada, where it continues to operate, but the company also has operations in the United States, with US headquarters located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
The company intends to work with its suppliers to achieving GAP animal welfare standards for “all non-vegetable proteins by 2030.
Pita Pit’s animal welfare policy also calls for a switch to a 100 percent cage-free egg supply by 2020.
Other companies to make pledges
The commitments from Papa John’s and Pita Pit follow four other pledges to source broilers raised according to GAP or RSPCA standards.
Earlier in 2018, restaurant companies Fare Resources, LaMadeleine French Bakery & Café, Mimi’s Café, Briche Doree and Bruegger’s made such commitments.
