Blue Apron has revealed an animal welfare policy that includes a commitment to transitioning to Global Animal Partnership (GAP) standards for broiler chickens and sourcing eggs from pasture-raised hens.
According to the Blue Apron website it’s requirements for animal welfare standards follow the “Five Freedoms,” a set of principles adopted by the World Organization for Animal Health. The company believes that these freedoms help ensure the physical and mental well-being of animals.
The Five Freedoms include freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from physical and thermal discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behavior.
“We are increasingly working with and supporting meat, poultry and egg suppliers that are not only committed to caring for their animals’ physical well-being, but that also provide enriched environments that allow their animals to exhibit natural behaviors,” the company stated on its website.
Due to this, the company is adopting standards that are informed by the Five Freedoms and is working to implement those standards with its meat, poultry and egg suppliers, with further support from Compassion in World Farming.
Poultry product line-up
One hundred percent of the company’s fresh eggs come from pasture-raised laying hens, the company stated.
Over 10 percent of the company’s broiler chicken supply is pasture-raised. The company noted on its website that it defines pasture-raised for broiler chickens as, “animals raised with access to pasture during the day, provided such access does not negatively impact their welfare, such as in the event of extreme weather conditions.”
The pasture-raised birds sourced by the company are also by a GAP Step 4-certified producer utilizing higher welfare breeds. The remaining broiler chicken supply is raised in enhanced welfare indoor systems with 100-percent vegetarian feed and without the use of antibiotics.
Blue Apron claims that none of the animals in its supply chain are ever given subtherapeutic antibiotics. However, if the animals’ well-being is at danger than they do advocate for their growers to supply proper treatment.
Blue Apron animal welfare standards for beef and pork have also recently changed.
Going forward
According to the Blue Apron website, by 2023 the company plans for 100 percent of its broiler chicken supply to come from birds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes that meet the criteria of GAP. Blue Apron also plans for all birds to be housed in GAP step 4 housing environments. It is also working toward processing broiler chickens without the use of pre-stun handing.
By the end of 2019, 100 percent of the company’s beef, pork and broiler chicken supply will come from sources that meet GAP Step 1, Certified Humane, or other animal welfare standards, the website explained.
