Pollo Tropical, a Florida-based restaurant chain that specializes in citrus-marinated grilled chicken, has joined the list of restaurants to pledge to source all of its chicken from operations that adhere to Global Animal Partnership (GAP) standards.
Like most companies to make such pledges to date, Pollo Tropical aims to complete the transition to GAP-approved breeds and standards by 2024.
In its animal welfare and handling policy, Pollo Tropical said its suppliers are required to meet the following standards as it relates to animal welfare:
- All grow houses are climate, ventilation and light controlled.
- Chickens are protected from elements and predators and are free to roam within the grow house free of cages.
- Chickens are allowed full access to water and feed.
The company further stated that it will require all chickens to be processed in a manner that avoids pre-stun handling and instead utilizes a multi-step controlled atmosphere processing system that induces an irreversible stun by 2024.
Other small restaurant chains to commit to GAP broiler standards in October include: First Watch, Norish Sequim, Sweetgreen, CoreLife Eatery and Black Bear Diner. So far, close to 60 restaurant chains and around 100 companies in general have committed to source only chicken raised according to GAP standards.
Notable companies to sign such pledges so far in 2018 include Blue Apron, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Pita Pit and Papa John’s Pizza.
In contrast, McDonald’s in 2017 announced a broiler welfare policy, but it made no mention of GAP or Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) standards. Instead, the quick-service restaurant chain stated that it would source chickens “that are raised with improved welfare outcomes.” The company is currently being pressured by animal rights activists and a shareholder, New York State Common Retirement Fund, to reassess its present policy to include GAP or RSPCA criteria.
