Fast food chains ranked in terms of chicken welfare and plant-based options – which are among the worst?
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We all have our favourite fast food places that we love to order from now and then – guilty as charged! But what if we told you that some of our favourite go-to places might not be the best when it comes to animal welfare and sustainability?
A new report has examined nine of Australia's biggest fast food companies and their commitment to chicken welfare as well as plant-based alternatives on their menu. The findings were far from what we had hoped for, with some of our favourite places coming in at the bottom of the list.
The animal welfare charity World Animal Protection (WAP) found that KFC ranked last out of the nine fast food chains when it comes to chicken welfare and plant-based options.
The company failed to sign up for initiatives to improve chicken welfare in its supply chain, didn't provide any permanent plant-based options for customers and was even accused of 'grossly underperforming'. Not good!
Despite more than 35,000 people signing a petition last year urging the Australian fast food giant to sign up for the Better Chicken Commitment, Rochelle Flood, Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection, said it was disappointing that KFC had not done so.
By signing the Better Chicken Commitment, companies are expected to:
In defence of the company, a KFC Australia spokeswoman stated that the company supports developments in animal care that are fact-based and supported by science and research.
'All the chickens we use are raised in large barns, which allows flocks to be raised comfortably and engage in natural behaviours. We require all our poultry suppliers to be members of the Australian Chicken Meat Federation and strictly follow the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals, Domestic Poultry,' said the representative.
'In addition, KFC Australia requires our suppliers – who are highly regarded in the industry – to pass audits that include monitoring the use of antibiotics in flocks and adhering to welfare standards.'
Meanwhile, McDonald's also didn't offer any permanent plant-based options on its menu – although they did get points for having a vegan burger available in some stores across Australia.
'McDonald's underperformed particularly in plant-based offerings and we acknowledge they have one-plant based offering in Victoria, but an achievement would be a main meal option available nationwide and all year round,' claimed Ms Flood.
'It can't be a limited trial. We want to see them stepping up to the plate.'
Pizza Hut was another big offender, receiving criticism for having no publicly available chicken welfare commitments and not signing on to any standards.
On the other hand, Domino's was one of the only companies that fared well in the report, being commended for both its efforts regarding chicken welfare and sustainability.
The report ranks (from best to worst) some of the most popular fast food chains as follows:
The importance of responsible animal farming
The research claimed that it was time for animals to be farmed more responsibly; otherwise, there is a risk that existing practices could cause another pandemic to break out.
Antibiotics are administered to factory-farmed animals throughout their brief lives to keep them alive until their scheduled slaughter date, and this method contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
'Antibiotic resistance, or superbugs, is one of the biggest threats to global health today. Currently, it is estimated that superbugs are responsible for 1.3 million human deaths each year,' the report said.
'This is projected to rise to 10 million deaths a year by 2050. Farming large numbers of genetically similar animals in confined spaces also leads to increased risk of disease spread, including zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans.'
So next time you're thinking about ordering your usual takeout meal, maybe check this list first and see if your favourite place is really doing its part when it comes to animal rights or environmentally friendly practices!
What are your thoughts, members? Do these findings make you more inclined to completely give up fast food?
If so, don't worry! Here at the SDC, we're always on the lookout for healthier versions of fast food to help you make the switch. Just keep an eye on the Cooking / Recipes forum!
A new report has examined nine of Australia's biggest fast food companies and their commitment to chicken welfare as well as plant-based alternatives on their menu. The findings were far from what we had hoped for, with some of our favourite places coming in at the bottom of the list.
The animal welfare charity World Animal Protection (WAP) found that KFC ranked last out of the nine fast food chains when it comes to chicken welfare and plant-based options.
The company failed to sign up for initiatives to improve chicken welfare in its supply chain, didn't provide any permanent plant-based options for customers and was even accused of 'grossly underperforming'. Not good!
KFC drastically underperforms in terms of the treatment of their chickens and the availability of plant-based menu options. Credit: Zak Simmonds.
Despite more than 35,000 people signing a petition last year urging the Australian fast food giant to sign up for the Better Chicken Commitment, Rochelle Flood, Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection, said it was disappointing that KFC had not done so.
By signing the Better Chicken Commitment, companies are expected to:
- Use chicken breeds that grow at a healthier rate. The current fast-growing breeds mean chickens grow to their full size in an average of just six weeks. This accelerated growth rate, combined with low light levels and insufficient space to move, leads to serious health problems, including heart and lung failure, muscle weakness and lameness.
- Ensure that chickens have the space to behave more naturally
- Allow chickens to enjoy natural behaviours via enrichment – including perches or platforms and pecking objects – natural lighting, and high-quality bedding.
- Ensure that chickens are slaughtered using more humane methods that avoid live inversion, shackling and rendering all animals unconscious before slaughter.
In defence of the company, a KFC Australia spokeswoman stated that the company supports developments in animal care that are fact-based and supported by science and research.
'All the chickens we use are raised in large barns, which allows flocks to be raised comfortably and engage in natural behaviours. We require all our poultry suppliers to be members of the Australian Chicken Meat Federation and strictly follow the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals, Domestic Poultry,' said the representative.
'In addition, KFC Australia requires our suppliers – who are highly regarded in the industry – to pass audits that include monitoring the use of antibiotics in flocks and adhering to welfare standards.'
Ranking of fast food restaurants based on their commitment to animal welfare and availability of plant-based menu options. Credit: World Animal Protection.
Meanwhile, McDonald's also didn't offer any permanent plant-based options on its menu – although they did get points for having a vegan burger available in some stores across Australia.
'McDonald's underperformed particularly in plant-based offerings and we acknowledge they have one-plant based offering in Victoria, but an achievement would be a main meal option available nationwide and all year round,' claimed Ms Flood.
'It can't be a limited trial. We want to see them stepping up to the plate.'
Pizza Hut was another big offender, receiving criticism for having no publicly available chicken welfare commitments and not signing on to any standards.
On the other hand, Domino's was one of the only companies that fared well in the report, being commended for both its efforts regarding chicken welfare and sustainability.
The report ranks (from best to worst) some of the most popular fast food chains as follows:
- Domino's
- Hungry Jack's
- Starbucks
- Nando's
- Guzman Y Gomez
- Subway
- Pizza Hut
- McDonald's
- KFC
The research claimed that it was time for animals to be farmed more responsibly; otherwise, there is a risk that existing practices could cause another pandemic to break out.
Antibiotics are administered to factory-farmed animals throughout their brief lives to keep them alive until their scheduled slaughter date, and this method contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
'Antibiotic resistance, or superbugs, is one of the biggest threats to global health today. Currently, it is estimated that superbugs are responsible for 1.3 million human deaths each year,' the report said.
'This is projected to rise to 10 million deaths a year by 2050. Farming large numbers of genetically similar animals in confined spaces also leads to increased risk of disease spread, including zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans.'
So next time you're thinking about ordering your usual takeout meal, maybe check this list first and see if your favourite place is really doing its part when it comes to animal rights or environmentally friendly practices!
What are your thoughts, members? Do these findings make you more inclined to completely give up fast food?
If so, don't worry! Here at the SDC, we're always on the lookout for healthier versions of fast food to help you make the switch. Just keep an eye on the Cooking / Recipes forum!
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