If you don’t protect animals, who will? Take action for them today
News
Get the latest news and updates from Animal Equality

Watchdog Groups Sue Pilgrim’s Pride for Deceptive Advertising

February 7, 2019 Updated: June 30, 2022
Food,Ingredient,Cuisine,Animal fat,Recipe,Dish,Animal product
Food,Ingredient,Cuisine,Animal fat,Recipe,Dish,Animal product

Nonprofits Allege Poultry Producer’s Factory Farm Practices are Inhumane and Environmentally Irresponsible WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 7, 2019 – Food & Water Watch and Organic Consumers Association (OCA) have sued Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. for deceptive marketing and advertising of Pilgrim’s Pride chicken products. The suit was brought in D.C. Superior Court, under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act. Nonprofits Food & Water Watch and OCA, represented by Richman Law Group and Animal Equality, allege that Pilgrim’s falsely claims that the birds used in its products are fed “only natural ingredients,” “treated humanely” and produced in an environmentally responsible way, when in fact Pilgrim’s systematically raises, transports and slaughters chickens in inhumane factory-farm conditions that include the routine use of antibiotics, synthetic chemical disinfectants, genetically modified crops growth-promoting drugs, and other unnatural substances. “Pilgrim’s Pride is using slick marketing tactics to deceive consumers,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. “There is nothing natural, humane or environmentally responsible about its operations. Pilgrim’s Pride looks after its profits—not the planet.” Ronnie Cummins, OCA international director, said: “When consumers read that Pilgrim’s chickens are fed ‘only natural ingredients’ they don’t expect those ingredients to include antibiotics, genetically modified grains or growth-promoting drugs. Consumers also don’t expect a ‘humanely raised’ bird to have lived its life crammed into a disease-ridden warehouse with no access to the outdoors. It’s time for Pilgrim’s to clean up its act, or come clean on its marketing claims.” The groups also accuse Pilgrim’s of the abuse of chickens by Pilgrim’s Pride contractors and employees, the use of toxic chemicals and the emission of large amounts of pollutants, and the use of artificially selected fast-growing, breast-heavy chicken breeds that have chronic and debilitating health conditions. Complaint can be found here. Food & Water Watch champions healthy food and clean water for all. We stand up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our environment.Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is a grassroots nonprofit consumer advocacy organization representing a network of more than 1 million consumers. Visit www.organicconsumers.org.CONTACT: Darcey Rakestraw, (202) 683-2467], [email protected] Katherine Paul, (207) 653-3090, [email protected] Sarah Pickering, (424) 305-0165, [email protected]


Latest News
March 28, 2025

Italy banned male chick killing in 2022, yet the slaughter quietly continues. From the heart of Rome to its most iconic landmark, advocates are demanding action.
March 20, 2025

Update February 2025 – Before the 2024 elections, Labour MP Steve Reed promised to ban foie gras imports. Months later–now as a Government Minister–he has failed to act. Worse still, the Government is considering a trade deal with Europe that could ease imports instead.  Animal Equality met with Reed’s constituents…
March 28, 2025

A “bloodied” soccer ball and an urgent message on the Colosseum put animal cruelty in the spotlight this February. Here’s how global advocates turned up the heat on industries and governments failing animals.