Farm Animal and Meat Quality Standards

All meat and poultry sold at Whole Foods Market must meet, at minimum, the Whole Foods Market Benchmark level of our Meat and Poultry Quality Standards.

Benchmark Standards

All of our meat and poultry offerings are minimally processed with no artificial additives or preservatives (as required by the USDA for "natural" labeling). In addition, Whole Foods Market goes even further by monitoring how the animals are raised and what the animals are fed. Our standards ensure that the meat and poultry we sell are raised by farmers and ranchers who care about their animals and the environment in which they live.

Here's a brief summary of our standards by species:

Cattle/Buffalo

• No antibiotics — ever
• No supplemental growth hormones
• No animal byproducts in feed
• Range raised for at least 2/3 of the animal's life

Veal Calves

• No antibiotics — ever
• No supplemental growth hormones
• Group housing only, no tethering or individual crates
• No animal byproducts in feed other than cow's milk
• Unlimited access to grain

Pigs

• No antibiotics — ever
• No animal byproducts in feed
• No gestation crates
• Sows provided freedom of movement in farrowing (birthing) pens
• Bedding required to satisfy natural rooting instincts

Lamb

• No antibiotics — ever
• No supplemental growth hormones
• No animal byproducts in feed
• Pasture raised

Poultry

• No antibiotics — ever
• No animal byproducts in feed
• No beak trimming for broiler chickens and game hens
• * Appropriate beak trimming for turkeys allowed when necessary
• Appropriate litter provided for comfort and to satisfy natural foraging instincts

Note: Federal law does not allow the use of supplemental growth hormones in any poultry or pigs sold in the United States.

* We allow the performance of physical alterations only when the overall physical and psychological welfare of the flock or herd would be benefited to prevent possible injury and only when conducted by a trained operator in an appropriate manner that minimizes any discomfort.

Animal Compassionate Program

We have also been working on species-specific Animal Compassionate Standards which require environments and conditions that support the animal's physical, emotional, and behavioral needs to an even higher level. Although no producers have met these standards yet, many are exploring the opportunity.

Whole Foods Market created the non-profit Animal Compassion Foundation as a natural progression of our efforts to help producers evolve their practices for raising farm animals naturally and humanely. Though related, and similarly named, the Animal Compassionate Standards are not created or maintained by the Animal Compassion Foundation. The Foundation is a separate and independent non-profit educational organization created to provide producers and researchers with the opportunity to learn, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.

Species Specific Standards in Detail for Both Programs

Detailed standards for both Whole Foods Market Meat and Poultry Quality Standards and Animal Compassionate Standards have been developed so far for the following species. Animal Compassionate Standards for other meat species, laying hens and dairy animals are under development.

• Broiler Chickens
• Cattle
• Ducks
• Pigs
• Sheep

Expanded Meat & Poultry Quality Standards in Development

We are currently restructuring meat and poultry quality standards.

Review of program documents and third party audits of the farm/ranch/location and slaughter/processing facility will result in one of five designations.

The first 3 levels will consist of varying degrees of welfare practices that are currently grouped in the natural category. The top 2 levels will identify standards developed to qualify animal compassionate husbandry.

• 1st level: Benchmark — reflects Whole Foods Market's current meat & poultry standards
• 2nd level: Traceability to Farm
• 3rd level: Pasture Based
• 4th level: Animal Compassionate
• 5th level: Animal Compassionate Gold Standard

The mission of the enhanced meat and poultry quality standards Whole Foods Market is currently developing is two-fold:

1. to provide a framework for continuous improvement of animal welfare on farms and ranches and
2. to provide our customers with a clear and transparent way to make informed buying decisions based solely on animal welfare considerations.

Whole Foods Market's vision for animal welfare encompasses the notion of the animal being reared in systems that are animal-centered. Standards and protocols are being designed to minimize animal suffering and encourage animal production systems that promote mental and physical health in an environment that provides animals with the ability to express their natural behaviors.

The standards and protocols will apply to all fresh meat and poultry sold within Whole Foods Market locations. It is intended that such meat will designated as representing one of five unique levels, confirmed as such by qualified, independent auditors, and based on a set of specific production practices related to animal welfare developed by Whole Foods Market as buying criteria and for consumer information purposes.

Specific standards related to permissible and prohibited production and handling techniques from parent stock through slaughter are intended to be included for the following species:

• Pigs
• Beef Cattle
• Bison
• Broiler Chickens
• Ducks
• Goats
• Rabbits
• Sheep
• Turkey
• Veal
• Dairy
• Eggs