Industry News - AM

Chicken chain commits to GAP welfare standards


By Susan Kelly on 5/22/2017

Boston Market, the rotisserie-cooking chain, announced plans to source only chickens certified by the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) and processed via a controlled-atmosphere system by 2024.

Chief Executive George Michel said the multi-step processing system is considered the most comprehensive approach and meets the highest level of animal welfare standards.

"We are committed to meeting these objectives in a way that is sustainable for our business and our suppliers,” Michel said in a statement. He added that the move would honor Boston Market’s proprietary product specifications.

Boston Market follows a number of restaurant chains that in recent months have announced efforts to meet the GAP welfare standards for chicken, including Burger King, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Jack in the Box, Quiznos, Ruby Tuesday’s and Pret A Manger.

In January, Boston Market announced a broad “Quality Guarantee” pledging to serve never-frozen whole chickens that are U.S. farm-raised, without added hormones or steroids, and 100 percent antibiotic-free, MSG-free and gluten-free. In March, it said all of its rotisserie chickens would be raised without the use of antibiotics by the end of the first quarter of 2018. Based in Golden, Colo., Boston Market has more than 450 U.S. locations.


 
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