Supervalu Asks Poultry Suppliers to Consider New Slaughter Method

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Following a shareholder resolution filed by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Supervalu here last week asked its suppliers to study the feasibility and effectiveness of “controlled atmosphere stunning” a procedure that renders chickens unconscious prior to slaughter. PETA — whose shareholder resolution had urged the company to give preference to suppliers that use “controlled atmosphere killing” a different technique that puts chickens to sleep with an inert gas prior to slaughter — described the move as insufficient. PETA has filed shareholder resolutions regarding CAK at 35 different companies since 2004, and the group says that quick-service restaurant chains Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s and Wendy’s now give preference to suppliers that use the technique as a result.

Read More of Today's Headlines