Cargill response to undercover video, animal cruelty allegations at Sparboe Farms

 

18 Nov 2011 - As a Sparboe Farms customer and a supplier to McDonald’s, we are disturbed by what we saw in the undercover videos. We will not tolerate mistreatment of animals anywhere in our supply chain. After an investigation of events related to video taken at Sparboe Farms Vincent, Iowa location, it became clear that we needed to take immediate action to address the issues with animal welfare compliance. 

We also just became aware today of an FDA warning letter that Sparboe received. Although there were no violations at the Vincent, Iowa facility, whose eggs have been part of McDonald’s supply chain, the issues raised in the FDA letter about Sparboe’s other operations warrant additional review by Cargill. 

As a result of the animal welfare questions and other concerns about the company’s operations, we have decided to suspend Sparboe from our supply chain. 

We take issues of animal welfare, safety and sanitary operations very seriously. We have strict requirements for our own operations and for those of our suppliers. Cargill Kitchen Solutions is committed to providing our customers with products raised with respect for the welfare of the animals, the environment, the producer and farm worker, and the communities in which we operate.