Foster Farms Becomes West Coast Leader in Antibiotic-Free and Organic Chicken

Foster Farms is introducing two product lines, Foster Farms Certified Organic and Foster Farms Simply Raised antibiotic-free chicken at major retailers throughout the West. As part of Foster Farms’ commitment to responsible production and continuous advancement, the company has tripled its production of chicken raised without any antibiotics since 2014, company officials say. Foster Farms has already eliminated antibiotics that are critical to human medicine in all of its chicken production companywide and is working to eliminate the use of all human antibiotics. Its practices will be independently audited to ensure compliance with the stated objectives of its antibiotic stewardship policy. Company executives will join national leaders in human and animal health and federal government representatives at the White House for the One Health Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship. Foster Farms Simply Raised and Foster Farms Certified Organic chicken are produced without any antibiotics and represent a new generation of offerings from the 76-year old company. Foster Farms Simply Raised fresh chicken is 100 percent vegetarian fed, company officials say; Foster Farms Organic fresh chicken is USDA-certified, raised free-range on organic land and is organic vegetarian fed. The company’s three major product lines now include locally raised, American Humane Certified, Fresh & Natural, Simply Raised, and Certified Organic fresh chicken. Each line continues the brand’s legacy of providing West Coast-grown fresh poultry that is all natural with no additives, preservatives or sodium enhancers. Foster Farms has steadily reduced antibiotic use companywide while adjusting its production and capital investment strategy to increase the number of ranches producing chicken raised without antibiotics. “Our company is committed to responsible growing practices that help preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for human health and medicine,” says Ron Foster, CEO and president of Foster Farms. “We take a holistic approach to antibiotic stewardship. Our goal has been three-fold: reduce the need for medical treatment by advancing bird health; choose animal-only antibiotics when needed for conventional flocks; and increase antibiotic-free production. Our progress can be seen in local supermarkets today. West Coast consumers now have greater access to locally grown organic and antibiotic-free chicken.” Key aspects of Foster Farms' antibiotic stewardship policy, as described by company officials, include: