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Koch Foods disputes 'Mercy for Animals' cruelty claim

Among other claims, Koch foods says it has not provided chicken to Chick-Fil-A since April 2013.

November 20, 2014

Koch Foods is characterizingMercy for Animal's video depicting workers treating chickens inhumanely at its processing plants as inaccurate and out of context.

"The chicken processing business is a highly regulated industry with well-established industry processing procedures, and our company works hard every day to ensure our employees and contractors follow strict regulations from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and guidelines from the National Chicken Council," said Joe Grendys, CEO of Koch Foods, in a company press release.

Also in the release:

• Sixteen USDA inspectors work on each production shift at the Chattanooga facility to help ensure the company produces a safe product in accordance with government regulations, according to the release.
• Koch Foods has not provided chicken to Chick-Fil-A since April 2013.
• Koch Foods said it trains its processing employees on animal welfare practices and requires its independent contractor chicken catchers to adhere to the Animal Welfare Guidelines of the National Chicken Council. These independent contract catchers must complete training on compliance with animal welfare guidelines, and they are regularly monitored for adherence to the guidelines.
• Koch Foods also said it is also regularly audited on its animal welfare practices by an independent auditor, last completed at the Chattanooga facility in September. The auditor found no violations of animal welfare practices in the live or processing operations for the Chattanooga complex, according to the release.

"As the CEO of the company, I take these allegations very seriously as I should. The company will not stand for a violation of the important processes and standards that we have in place. Koch Foods will remain vigilant to ensure it continues to operate in a humane, clean, and safe manner," Grendys said.