Denny’s has committed to stop sourcing meat from chickens that have been treated with medically important antibiotics, effective March 1.
The restaurant chain announced its new policy on the animal welfare page of its website.
Denny’s decision follows criticism for being too lenient regarding the use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry in its supply chain. In 2016, the chain received a failing grade in the report, Chain Reaction – How Top Restaurants Rate on Reducing Use of Antibiotics in Their Meat Supply. The report was prepared by a coalition of groups, including Friends of the Earth, Natural Resources Defense Council, Consumers Union, Food Animal Concerns Trust, Keep Antibiotics Working and Center for Food Safety.
Denny’s was not evaluated in the 2017 Chain Reaction Report, while the 2018 edition of the report focused on the beef industry and how the top restaurants with hamburgers as their main fare.
Other animal welfare commitments from Denny’s
In addition to provisions for antibiotics in its broiler chicken supply, Denny’s broiler welfare policy also calls for a move toward controlled atmosphere stunning, reduced stocking levels, the use of environmental enrichments, as well as transitioning to broiler breeds with higher welfare outcomes. However, the policy made no mention of Global Animal Partnership (GAP) or Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Regarding turkey welfare, Denny’s stated that it has been using suppliers that practice “the most humane slaughter method.
The company in 2016 committed to source 100 percent of its egg supply from cage-free operations.
The restaurant chain also calls for limited use of gestation crates for the housing of sows and a preference for beef suppliers who used polled breeding stock.
Founded in 1953 as a doughnut stand in Lakewood, California, Denny’s has grown to become a restaurant chain with more than 1,700 locations.
