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Burger King Agrees To Use Cage-Free Eggs And Pork

April 27, 2012 by  

Burger King Agrees To Use Cage-Free Eggs And Pork
PHOTOS.COM
Burger King plans to phase out suppliers that raise animals in cages.

The burgers at Burger King may be double-stacked, but the pigs and chickens used to produce their products won’t be.

By 2017, Burger King plans to buy all its eggs and pork from cage-free facilities.

“We believe this decision will allow us to leverage our purchasing power to ensure the appropriate and proper treatment of animals by our vendors and suppliers,” said Jonathan Fitzpatrick, chief brand and operations officer.

Those who push for the humane treatment of animals are pleased that Burger King is raising the bar.

“For every cage-free egg or piece of bacon from a gestation-free pork system that Burger King sells, animals have been spared lifelong confinement in a cage so small they can barely even move,” said Matthew Prescott, the Humane Society of the United States food policy director.

In times past, animals “were going to be slaughtered at some point, but they could have a decent life,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS. Pacelle believes that the treatment of food animals has worsened in the past 50 years.

Recently, Hellman’s, Sonic, Subway, Ruby Tuesday and Kraft Foods have increased the percentage of cage-free eggs they use in their products.

But not everyone thinks the trend is a positive one. Those who oppose cage-free facilities believe that it causes disease occurrence, as well as prices, to increase.

Pacelle disagrees: “When you are good to animals, there are often good outcomes the rest of the way,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Liberty News, Nutrition, Staff Reports
Bryan Nash

Staff writer Bryan Nash has devoted much of his life to searching for the truth behind the lies that the masses never question. He is currently pursuing a Master's of Divinity and is the author of The Messiah's Misfits, Things Unseen and The Backpack Guide to Surviving the University. He has also been a regular contributor to the magazine Biblical Insights.

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  • s c

    OK, boys and girls, we can now summarize. First, WHY did Burger King wait so long to sell us their “good” stuff? Second, to extrapolate a bit, WHY did Tyson do the same thing for so long? That is, WHAT were selling to us for so many years BEFORE they started using their “good” stuff?
    So who’s next on the ‘go along to get along’ bandwagon? Wall Street and their bunky whore chums did it. Detroit did it (but NOT Ford). Gates did it, Tyson did it, and Burger King did it. Who’s next?

  • jopa

    I have always had it in mind that pork is a great environment for worms of all types and the meat had to be overcooked and that I did.Now they have new guidelines that a chop can be cooked for a shorter time and they are great.Now if we go back to the range fed pork are the worms going to be a problem or will drugs take care of that?I just don’t know what direction I would go on this issue.

    • Sirian

      Is this but an alternative way of saying. . . “I’m lost, I don’t know what to do, will someone in government please hold my hand and lead me out of this problem??” Sound feasible? Does to me – and many others too I dare say. And you wonder why the most of us blow you off as a true useful idiot, nothing more?

      • jopa

        Sirian;Apparently you didn’t cook your pork long enough and now the worms have taken over your little brain.I don’t trust a foreigner from Siria anyway nor does anyone else so you are just kinda wasting cyberspace when you post.

    • Vigilant

      jopa, pork roasts and chops don’t need to be overcooked to kill the trichina worms. I love these meats, and cook them thoroughly to avoid trichinosis, but they can still be juicy and tender. As long as the juices run clear (not pink), you’re in good shape.

      Certainly, I don’t know anyone who likes undercooked pork. It tastes awful.

  • chuckb

    just think about all those dogs in the pound going to waste, we could fatten them up and sell’em to burger king. in fact maybe they already are.”dog whopper and fries”

    • old hillbilly

      Can’t understand why BO hasn’t jumped on that one – “hot dogs” – fries – Coke – maybe a side order of “cat”sup~

  • Carol J

    I still won’t go to Burger King. They have lied continuosly in their ads from day one. They say “Have it your way”, but when I asked them not to overcook the hamburger meat(back in 1981) they said that is how they do it and they can’t change. Have been back once to try a new burger they came up with. The ad showed it with slices of tomato. When I asked why the one they prepared for me had NO tomato I was told this burger didn’t come with tomato. Haven’t been back and won’t.

  • s c

    And now for THE big question, comrade ‘k.’ WHEN will the Amerikan people be free from people like you and your false, W H God? WHEN do we get to knock down OUR cages? WHEN do we get to do to groups like PETA that which they have done to us?
    OK. double-space your comments, use first-quality paper, be sure and TYPE it and expect a high grading curve. It’s not easy trying to educate utopians who live in a delusional world of their own making. And if you dare to plagiarize, be prepared to d u c k, comrade ‘k.’

    • Karolyn

      s c – You are stuck in your own little world and don’t know a thing about me. Thinking inside the box sure suits you.

      • s c

        Comrade ‘k,’ let me know if you want to compare transcripts. I know more about you than you’ll ever be able to fathom. Your main problem is in going through life and relying on your emotions. In other words, “feeling” is more important to you than THINKING. That makes you akin to a dolt who walks around bent over, waiting for the next abuser.
        Learn to THINK. Relying on “FEELING” is responsible for where you are NOW. I’d love to shred that Big Tent you live in. It’s a nation-destroyer, and you have brainwashed yourself into “feeling” that ‘you’re on the right side of history.’ You do NOT have a clue. This is beyond politics. You’re behind the learning curve BY CHOICE. Pitiful.

  • carolinerh

    How many know that “cage free” means the birds are actually out of the cage and on the ground for 5 minutes or a little more. It is too costly and not enough land available to have large quantities on the ground constantly. Not like in your backyard, so wake up and smell the coffee. We don’t have true organics in this country and no way to have truly cage free animals. The concept is nice but it ain’t reality. Or cage free but still with beaks cut off and other atrocities? People who don’t know about simple farming will not understand what they are asking. If you wish to pay outrageous prices for such animals, raise them yourself!

    • Sirian

      carolinerh,
      HA, can you imagine how funny it would be to see PETA people cleaning a chicken coop? You talk about a reality comedy show that would pull super high ratings. . . LOL!!! :)

    • Carol J

      “Cage free” is just another way to charge a higher price. Just like they put a higher price on commercial brown eggs which don’t taste any different from regular eggs. I bought a dozen of the brown eggs a few weeks ago. Talk about disappointment. I was expecting the rich flavor I always got when I had my own chickens.

      • Vigilant

        I always thought that the selling point for brown eggs was that they had a stronger shell. The few Rhode Island Reds we had laid brown eggs, but I don’t recall any difference in flavor as compared to the White Leghorn eggs.

  • http://justafly.wordpress.com justafly

    The PETA-nazis will not be happy until Burger King serves veggie-burgers only. What cowards BK execs are. Here I come Wendy’s.

    • Karolyn

      It sounds like you’re a fan of Big Agra. Big Pharma too? You can have your chemicals. Enjoy!

      • s c

        Thanks for ADMITTING hat you’re a willing member of the “collective.” So, k, what’s it like to sell your rump and your mind to those who who will go out of their way to condition you to love being their SLAVE? Does your family know about your situation?

      • http://justafly.wordpress.com justafly

        Thank GOD for the farmers that supply more than enough food on fewer and fewer acres to feed us and pharmaceutical companies that keeps us alive and healthier. Better Living Through Chemistry!

      • Karolyn

        s c – You are WAAAAAY off the charts today!
        flyman – HAHAHAHAHA! The jokes on YOU!

  • http://gravatar.com/catman11 coal miner

    I Hope we can eliminate this form of cruelty for once and all.

    • Karolyn

      Amen! It’s disgusting what they do to the animals; and then they live in filth that contaminates them.

      • s c

        I was hoping that we could get through this topic without any paid, closet PETA cheerleaders. I was a bit naive, I guess. Never underestimate the ability of PETA and its robots to interject the idea that animals are also PEOPLE.
        Get help, k and c m.

      • Karolyn

        s c – I do not support PETA – never have; never will. Just an animal lover and someone who realizes that what goes around comes around. Also, you do not agree that animals living in filthy conditions contribute to disease? If not, you need an education!

      • andrew

        begging your pardon maam but you really dont have a clue what goes on in bigger hog production farms do you?if you did you would see how it is to get that free range status,(lengthening the holding pen 3 feet longer) once again the federal government has fooled the consumers keep your eyes open

  • http://gravatar.com/catman11 coal miner

    It’s about time.

  • Sirian

    I wonder if either Prescott or Pacelle were raised on a farm? Better yet, if either have ever worked on a farm taking care of chickens, pigs, cows, goats, sheep etc. and earned any money from it? Uh, probably not. Oh, I forgot, that has nothing to do with it – the ivory tower gang knows what’s best all the time. Especially since they’ve spent millions and millions of grant money to research and study the emotional state of a pig or chicken. Oh well, I know, anyone can tell the difference between a “cage free” egg over the other. You know, the taste, the texture, the appearance, the package labeling, the menu notation and the advanced emotional response to those over the inhumanely produced – not the price, NO, not the price. Are we having fun yet? No? wait until you’re paying $6 for a dozen “cage free” eggs or $8 for an Egg McMuffin. You’re gonna get what you want – boy are you ever!!

    • wandamurline

      Cage free eggs are already at the $3.75 to $4.25 a dozen. I am getting my own chickens….just about four is all my family and kids’ families need. Am fixing to put hooves back on the ground also as soon as the prices go down due to the drought last year in Texas. Pigs….I got hundreds of ferrel pigs all over my place….I guess we can start taking them for bacon….they certainly are cage free.

      • Sirian

        wandamurline,
        It doesn’t appear as though what I predicted – $6/doz – is all that far off. Time will tell the tale for sure. Thank God you’re in Texas, not Michigan. If you were up there you’d have to go kill off all of the ferals – new state government law that’s just been implemented. Nugent and many others were forced into killing their “feral” pigs even though they were in a pin – go figure. We’ve had plenty of drought problems up here in Okie territory too – hope you get plenty of rain this spring.

    • Karolyn

      If the cage free chickens are fed a natural diet, the eggs are much better. The yolks are darker and richer, and the eggs really do taste better! I’ve had chickens in the past and ony fed them naturally. You can definately taste the difference in the eggs. I will only buy eggs from naturally raised, cage-free or free-range chickens. When I see my friend, I can get them free from her chickens; however, I will pay the extra buck or 2 for them if need be. Eggs are one of the best bargains under the sun and the most complete protein you can eat.

      • Sirian

        Isn’t it wonderful that you have the freedom and liberty to do so Karolyn? Would you be willing to sacrifice that though so everyone, collectively, would be able to enjoy the same? Get it? Up to you. . .

      • Karolyn

        Sirian – What you’re saying makes no sense. How could I give it up so that everybody could benefit? I am part of the collective.

      • Sirian

        Uh huh, just as I thought.

      • Vigilant

        “I’ve had chickens in the past and ony fed them naturally.” Karolyn, I’m a bit curious about that statement.

        We had 1,000 chickens when I was a kid (mostly White Leghorns), and we sold eggs in town. Although the doors to the coops were open in favorable weather, and the hens could forage, there was no way to avoid feeding them cracked corn and mash as well (plus the obligatory grit to keep their crops working).

        What forms of “natural” food are you talking about (just curious)?

  • mickey2

    Fast food needs to go. There is no reason to visit these places since we now know what they put in their pink slime or tendons and bone fragments. The government has deemed then another “too big to fail” industry and protects them without informing us.

    We are paying more for these economies of scale than if we had locally produced food.

    Same with soaps (they put glass in some of it to age clothes faster). If we don’t demand change, we won’t get it. When kids are forced to eat chicken nuggets instead of a wholesome home lunch, then which side of the government is for us?

  • Thebelldiver

    2017? Why wait. You place an order and farmers will fill thw bill. But no; your waiting on Monsanto and the government first destroy all the small producers first.
    Why don’t you include no GMO feeds, no GMO stock, no pink slime in your additives, no toxic waste dumping in the ground meat in your advertising.

    • mickey2

      This is about right. I pay very little difference to buy from local farmers who do free range cows, pigs, chickens. I don’t understand city people who will drive 50 miles to work each day but travel 30 miles to stock a freezer with good food.

      • mickey2

        Correction: WON”T travel 30 miles to buy good food.

      • TIME

        Mickey,
        Great point. When I am at home I have local farmers I buy all our food stock from, the food is far better and I never feel ill.
        We even have a wild old Hippy lady who makes cheese’s and breads etc that we buy, the drive is well worth the effort in both cases……….

        But; – I have been on the road over the last number of months – so I am eating whats out there and I have to tell you I feel like crap all the time.

        Peace and Love

    • s c

      Here it comes, people. The same mentality that praises Monsanto [and KILLS our bees and other pollinators] will now sit back and wait for the next created CRISIS. Burger King was visited by Uncle Scammy and told told to ‘get on board’ or go out of business. Screw Uncle Scam and ANYONE who creates false CRISES and does it in the name of POLITICAL ‘Gods.’

      • Karolyn

        You are WAY off base here! Why on earth would the government urge anybody to go cage-free, when all the money comes from huge factory farming? What on earth are you talking about?

      • Sirian

        Absolutely s c, absolutely. That is one area that you very seldom hear anything about – bees. The pesticides that are being produced by BAYER – banned in Germany & France – have a nicotine base which in turn kills the pollinators – BEES. The estimated half life of this stuff is approx. 20 years, give or take. So, in the end, without the bees these idiots have no earthly idea as to what “environmental” damage will be inflicted. The EPA – their all knowing environment god – could stop the use of those pesticides but NO, it will not. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the court cases go on this. Hopefully they will win and the EPA will be forced by court order to stop the usage of this pesticide for good!! Glad you brought that up!!

  • vanessa

    In the end its price. We try to eat out very seldom for a host of reasons.

  • Rosco1776

    As long as the government doesn’t come in and kill them all because they “look” like wild pigs and try and shut down all the family farms!

    • mickey2

      Yes, and it is getting worse. Once they start spraying agent orange every place, even free range won’t help. I have 4 baby chicks. I started them without the medicated crackle. When I switched to the medicated, they don’t want to eat it. They are a month old now and will eat the dandelions but won’t eat the med/crackle if they are outside.

      Animals know, same as children. Just listen and watch.

      • Karolyn

        What makes you think “they” will be spraying agent orange “all over the place?”

    • Andrea Clark

      Agreed! Burger King is going to have a hard time FINDING free range pork if other states start following Michigan’s lead. Take a look at my parody: http://www.zpatriot.com/zpatriot/articles/138/rogue-carrots

  • http://wvfarm2u.wordpress.com wvfarm2u

    As more people move back to supporting healthier farming practices, they will begin to realize that paying more for better nutrition is ok. We really pay very little for our food compared to the rest of the world. Our priorities are very different.

    • mickey2

      I don’t know if you are a real farmer or not but price is not a factor when free range comes in. Only the initial costs of feed for the young is at stake. OTherwise, the animals eat the weeds and bugs–free.

      Last year, my near farmer had a big crop failure, either no ears, too many ears per stock, and kernels that were deformed. Yet all that got harvested as “good corn” and into the food supply, animals or human.

      My younger dog won’t eat the field corn. He doesn’t even play with the stocks. Then we have the mandantory vaccines, the malaria one proposed to put into goats. What’s next?

    • http://www.mototcarsfinancial.com Brad

      WV Have you been to the grocery store latley??? Of course under than Obama plan he claimed energy and food prices would sky rocket. I guess he did complete one of his plans to distroy our country

      • wandamurline

        Yes, but notice that when calculating the recession, two factors that they DO NOT use in their calculations is food and fuel….two of the most important and constant costs to the American family….how can they state that inflation is not up? Because they do not use food and fuel in their calculations….we have a congress of “cook the books”. Vote anyone out in 2012 who has been in office for 12 years or more, because they, whether Republican or Democrat, are responsible for the mess we now have.

    • andrew

      seems like thats the same logic that caused the rise in gas prices

      • http://wvfarm2u.wordpress.com wvfarm2u

        Not quite…..as a car driver I can opt to purchase the most fuel efficient car I can instead of something flashy and I can plan my driving to maximize the use of the fuel I am going to use. With the choosing of food that is raised in a healthier fashion, I will not be adding a lot of chemicals into my body. So only the same logic if you don;t think about the end result of your choices.

  • Karolyn

    Bravo to Burger King. It’s a step in the right direction and a boost for the cage-free industry. Don’t the naysayers realize that caged animals are more likely to spread disease?

    • FreedomFighter

      BK tastes better too.

      Dont eat at out much, unless I know the place well, when forced I eat only at BK or Wendys and only certain items on the menu.

      Laus Deo
      Semper Fi

    • old hillbilly

      Why not just make every family raise their own chickens & pigs – cows too- make them part of the family. We could eliminate cruelty by licensing everyone, inspecting to make sure, & build more prisons to make sure every oink is heard & we have a dose of Ridlin available for every hen that lays an egg. Not sure what will happen when the 600# oinker wants the bathroom occupied by a teenage daughter trying to dye her hair purple. And what will we do in the NYC tenant tower district (where people live in cages), when bossie the cow joins Occupy, clibs up 20 or 30 stories up, leans over the balcony & let’s ‘er rip!

      “Goanna” (look it up) kill one of the three little pigs? Is an egg a living being? What is your cow craps on somebody’s poach? How will you shut the rooster up so night people can sleep? What if Muhammad’s goat decides to take political asylum in your petunia patch, & decides to end it all by jumping off your balcony & landing on you neighbors duck??

      We’re truely run by a nation of unrepentant idiots who are dedicated to bringing everyone to their carrot level IQ – none better – none less – must be equal-librium!!! I’ll bet we could put everyone oi the world to work, making this & media matters “work”, if there was just some way to pay for it.

      AHHHHH! There’s Geitner & Barnacle off in the distance waving & shouting, “all the money you want… penny a pound!”

    • old hillbilly

      Note: Health standards, cost to produce, emissions, cleanliness, parasites, germs, etc. on the closed circuit chicken & pig producers are infinately better than anything found on a range where they are exposed to people, wild animals, and too many other risks to possibly name.

      If you’re thinking organically, look up the word, investigate the process, & if … we realize that mankind has been here for eons & survived, and… a little dung in your wheaties aint gonna be noticed if you’re hungry.

      60-70+ years ago the children worked killed chickens, & animals, gutted & cleaned them fo moms, who cooked some of the finest meals imaginable. Few animals died of old age – you ate them or sold them to be eaten. There were no food stamps or handouts if you were able bodied… yet there was always enough for a visitor or someone in true need!

      Survival meant you take care of animals, but there is a priority difference between people and animals that current society conveniently forgets.

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