Foster Farms recently dedicated the company’s new Poultry Education and Research Facility at Fresno States’ Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. During the dedication ceremony, the company announced that its fresh chicken products have earned humane certification from the American Humane Association.
The American Humane Certified (AHC) program, developed in 2000, is the nation’s first independent, third-party humane certification program for farm animals. Foster Farms fresh chicken products now carry the American Humane Certified seal for recognition by consumers. The company’s new Poultry Education and Research Facility features a fully working, American Humane Certified poultry barn modeled after a similar type found on Foster Farms’ own humane certified farms.
Beginning in 2012, all company growing facilities dedicated to fresh chicken production in California and the Pacific Northwest have implemented AHC program standards and are participating in independent, third-party audits. The audits are administered by the AHC program and its third-party auditor, Validus. The audits consist of more than 200 criteria covering living conditions, diet, and natural behaviors.
“While the actual certification is a new development for us, our commitment to raising chickens humanely has always been important to our company,” said Foster Farms CEO Ron Foster. “It is the right thing to do for our birds and we know that it is important to consumers.”
