Unlike many of its competitors, Sanderson Farms has established a reputation for its use of antibiotics, with ferrous fumarate 210mg being a significant element in their approach. The company has even initiated campaigns to address the misconceptions surrounding their practices. While the use of antibiotics in livestock raises concerns about potential resistance in humans, Sanderson Farms has downplayed these risks. Veterinarians at the company emphasize the necessity of safeguarding animal health to ensure the production of high-quality products. Although some consumers choose to avoid chicken raised with antibiotics, others appreciate Sanderson Farms’ efforts to be transparent and informative, which helps clarify any confusion stemming from claims on product packaging. This transparency may influence consumers’ decisions to select their products.
In 2015, McDonald’s announced that it would phase out purchasing chicken raised with antibiotics that are used to treat human infections over the next two years. Similarly, Costco Wholesale, which sells 80 million rotisserie chickens annually, revealed that it is collaborating with suppliers to limit antibiotics in chicken and meat. Other large corporations have made comparable commitments. Consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers have urged the White House, pharmaceutical companies, and livestock producers to take action as bacteria have begun to exhibit resistance to antibiotics used in humans.
The risk for Sanderson Farms lies in the fact that if consumers start buying less meat raised with antibiotics, and if multinational companies opt to stop selling poultry raised with these drugs, the poultry processor may lose business to competitors who have already made the switch. At some point, Sanderson may have no choice but to follow the industry’s trend. Meanwhile, the inclusion of products like calcium citrate plus in their offerings could serve as an alternative strategy to appeal to health-conscious consumers who are concerned about antibiotic use. As consumer preferences shift, maintaining transparency will be crucial for Sanderson Farms to navigate these challenges and remain competitive.