One Health Certified assures consumers of poultry welfare

A new program, One Health Certified helps poultry producers demonstrate responsible animal care principles to consumers.

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(onehealthcertified.org)
(onehealthcertified.org)

A new program, One Health Certified helps poultry producers demonstrate responsible animal care principles to consumers.

Participating companies are evaluated on their animal production practices in five core areas: disease prevention, veterinary care, responsible antibiotic use, animal welfare and environmental impacts. The production standard is focused on the concept of One Health – a recognition that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment.

Producers that qualify for certification will be able to label their retail and wholesale products with the One Health Certified logo, conveying to consumers that responsible animal care practices have been followed and verified.

Currently only open to poultry producers

The program – currently only open to chicken and turkey producers – is administered by the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education (NIAMRRE). Additional animal proteins will become available for certification in the future, including pork, egg, dairy and beef.

“As an organization, NIAMRRE is delighted to support the One Health Certified program,” said Dr. Paul Plummer, NIAMRRE executive director. “The program is true to the One Health principles of multiple organizations and disciplines working together to improve human health, veterinary health, agriculture and the environment.”

One Health Certified is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Process Verified Program, a verification service that offers applicants a unique way to assure customers of transparency and consistent quality products.

First company certified

Mountaire Farms is the first chicken producer to meet the standards of the One Health Certified program. The USDA verified that the practices of Mountaire Farms met the programs standarfds in November 2019.

“It was important to us that we participate in a holistic and ethical program that strives for optimal health outcomes for animals, consumers, and the planet,” said Dr. Don Ritter, director of technical marketing at Mountaire Farms. “One Health Certified successfully avoids the trade-offs and unintended consequences of more narrowly focused programs, which may at times put animal health and welfare at unnecessary risk.”

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