The first chicken meeting the higher welfare standards of the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) are now available at Whole Foods throughout the U.S.
“GAP’s certification and labeling requirements are built in to every product bearing the new Better Chicken label," said Malissa Lucas, director of certification services at EarthClaims, LLC, the North American certifying agent for GAP.
"I have visited these birds on farm, and it is impressive to observe their activity and energy levels, particularly the way they fully interact with their living environment."
These products will be labeled as Better Chicken Certified and were raised by at LaBelle Patrimoine, Pitman Farms and Cooks Venture Poultry Inc. Better Chicken Certified chicken will retail for $3.99 a pound for whole birds, Bloomberg reported.
“We are incredibly proud to be a part of this program, which proves that the right combination of breed and animal welfare are what truly make a better chicken. It has always been my mission to raise healthy, active broiler chickens of the highest quality and taste,” Mike Charles, of LaBelle Patrimoine, said.
More than 200 food companies have signed the Better Chicken Commitment pledge. The animal welfare guideline requires signatories to source chicken certified by GAP by 2026, or meet several elevated welfare standards by 2024, including a maximum stocking density, functional enrichment and the use of only BCC approved poultry breeds.
Animal welfare organizations applauded the launch.
Nancy Roulston, senior director of corporate policy and animal science, ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare, said: “GAP’s new Better Chicken Project Certified label builds on its groundbreaking work assessing chicken breeds for objective animal welfare criteria to help consumers identify more humane options in the marketplace. The ASPCA is thrilled to recognize the industry-leading farmers and food brands that adopt this label through our Shop With Your Heart program.”
Added Dr. Sara Shields, director of farm animal welfare science at Humane Society International: “G.A.P.’s new, science-based breed eligibility requirements have industry-wide transformative potential. I am grateful to the farmers embracing these meaningful changes and to consumers who are making conscientious purchasing decisions.”
