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

LIVINGSTON, Calif., June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Foster Farms is introducing two new product lines, Foster Farms Certified Organic and Foster Farms Simply Raised antibiotic-free chicken at major retailers throughout the West, making the family-owned company the largest producer of USDA certified organic and antibiotic-free chicken in the Western United States. 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. 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. On Tuesday, 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. 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," said 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."

Foster Farms shares a common goal with medical, government and industry leaders in working to curb antibiotic-resistance in humans that may be linked to livestock production. The company's antibiotic stewardship policy for broiler chickens is available at www.FosterFarms.com/about/antibiotic-stewardship.asp.

Key aspects of the policy include:

• Foster Farms has eliminated the use of antibiotics critical to human medicine companywide and is working toward a goal of eliminating the use of all antibiotics that are used in human medicine, except in those instances where the clinical health of a flock is at risk.
• Foster Farms does not use antibiotics at any of its hatcheries.
• Antibiotics are not used for growth promotion or improved feed efficiency.
• When disease treatment is necessary, medical care will be overseen by a licensed veterinarian.
• Foster Farms' antibiotic practices will be independently audited to ensure compliance with the stated objectives of the antibiotic stewardship policy.

About Foster Farms
Since 1939, West Coast families have depended on Foster Farms for premium quality, locally grown poultry products. Family-owned and operated, the company continues its legacy of excellence and commitment to quality established by its founders, Max and Verda Foster. Foster Farms specializes in fresh, all-natural chicken and turkey products free of preservatives, additives or injected sodium enhancers. The company's fresh chicken products carry the American Humane Certified seal ensuring validation of animal welfare practices. Based in California's Central Valley, Foster Farms operates ranches throughout California and works with more than 32 family farms in the Pacific Northwest. Foster Farms is the leading producer of organic and antibiotic-free poultry on the West Coast. The company also produces delicious pre-marinated, ready-to-cook and fully cooked products that meet the quality and convenience needs of today's home cooks, retailers, warehouse clubs and foodservice customers.

Food safety is Foster Farms' highest priority and the company reminds consumers to always follow safe handling and storage guidelines for the preparation of fresh poultry products. All fresh poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a meat thermometer. Visit www.fosterfarms.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Foster Farms

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