PHILADELPHIA—Aramark, the $15 billion global provider of food, facilities management, and uniforms, recently announced a new set of animal welfare principles and purchasing commitments that address a broad spectrum of issues impacting the treatment of animals for egg, pork, veal, beef, poultry and dairy products served across Aramark’s U.S. operations.
“Our commitments to health, wellness and sustainability are core to our mission of enriching and nourishing lives and include our pledge to responsible purchasing and animal welfare practices,” said Eric J. Foss, Aramark Chairman, President & CEO. “The broad reach of our supply chain provides an opportunity for us to have a significant impact on animal welfare issues and to shift purchasing practices that impact the clients, consumers and communities we serve.”
The policy builds on commitments the company has made over the past several years as part of its responsible purchasing practices in the United States:
• Purchasing only cage-free eggs by 2020;
• Eliminating all pork from animals bred using gestation crates by 2017; and
• Since 2011, eliminated the purchase of all foie gras.
Aramark developed the policy in collaboration with long-time partner, the Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization.
“We are pleased to partner with Aramark, and create this comprehensive animal welfare policy,” said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO, the Humane Society of the United States. “Aramark’s efforts demonstrate a growing interest in animal welfare by consumers and the industry, and help drive toward continuous improvement in addressing farm animal practices.”
Hundreds of Suppliers Impacted
The policy covers several additional commitments governing the care and treatment of farm animals, including confinement, painful procedures, and rapid growth processes. As a foodservice provider, Aramark purchases a wide variety of egg, dairy and meat items from hundreds of suppliers.
Under its new global policy, Aramark will work with its suppliers to meet the following animal welfare commitments:
Eggs: Aramark will purchase only cage-free eggs in the United States by 2020.
Pork: In 2012, Aramark committed to eliminate all pork from animals bred using gestation crates by 2017; it will also work to address issues of pain relief associated with castration and the eventual elimination of tail docking, as well as eventual elimination of the use of ractopamine.
Veal: Aramark will eliminate all veal from animals confined in crates in the United States by 2017.
Dairy/Beef: Aramark will work with suppliers to address issues of pain relief for disbudding and castration procedures, and eventual elimination of tail docking and dehorning. In addition, the company will work with suppliers to eliminate the use of hormones or feed additives that are harmful for farm animals including recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST), zilpaterol hydrochloride and ractopamine.
Ducks and Geese: In 2011, Aramark committed to eliminate the purchase of all foie gras and remains committed to this position.
Chickens and Turkeys: Working with suppliers, Aramark will address animal welfare issues associated with fast growth of broiler chickens and turkeys and support eliminating slaughtering systems that use live dumping and shackling.
The policy also outlines Aramark’s expectations for its suppliers. Aramark will work with its suppliers to:
• Ask suppliers for progress reports;
• Require third-party documentation of their efforts;
• Incorporate the animal welfare principles and policy into contracts; and
• Require decisive action in unforeseen cases of animal abuse or cruelty.
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