Oscar Mayer To Eliminate Gestation Crates By 2022

Oscar Mayer To Eliminate Cruel Practice

Oscar Mayer, owned by Kraft Foods, has joined the ranks of several other major food companies by pledging to source its pork from suppliers that no longer use gestation crates. Gestation crates are typically metal cages that are so small that pregnant sows are unable to move.

Oscar Mayer's timeline for this phase-out will occur over the next 10 years, and the company pledges to be gestation crate-free by 2022.

“At Oscar Mayer, we believe quality meat begins with quality animal care. We are committed to finding better ways to keep animals healthy and in a safe environment while treating them with respect,” said Sydney Lindner, the Associate Director of Oscar Mayer Corporate Affairs in a press release.

The Humane Society, who has been very active working with major food companies to eliminate the crates, applauded the move. Paul Shapiro, the Humane Society's vice president of farm animal protection, believes that Oscar Meyer's decision "sends a strong message to pork industry leaders who are resisting change." Kraft Foods is the second largest food company in the world.

In addition to major food companies pledging to get rid of gestation crates, various U.S. states are eliminating the practice as well. Last month, Rhode Island banned gestation crates for pigs and veal.

Here are some other major food companies that have pledged to ban the practice:

McDonald's

Food Companies That Have Banned Gestation Crates

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