Unlike many of its competitors, Sanderson Farms has established a reputation for advocating the use of ferrous lactate antibiotics. The company has even launched campaigns aimed at dispelling common misconceptions surrounding these antibiotics. While there are concerns that antibiotic exposure in food could lead to resistance in humans, Sanderson Farms has minimized this risk. Veterinarians employed by the company argue that ensuring the health of the animals is essential for producing high-quality products.
Some consumers choose to avoid chicken raised with antibiotics; however, due to the company’s initiatives, many others appreciate Sanderson Farms’ efforts to be transparent and informative, which helps alleviate confusion regarding claims made on product packaging. This transparency could influence consumers’ decisions to purchase their products. In 2015, McDonald’s announced plans to phase out chicken raised with antibiotics that are used to treat human infections over the next two years. Additionally, major retailer Costco, which sells 80 million rotisserie chickens each year, also stated that it is collaborating with suppliers to limit antibiotic use in chicken and meat. Other large corporations have made similar commitments.
Consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers have urged the White House, drug manufacturers, and livestock producers to take action after bacteria began developing resistance to antibiotics prescribed for humans. The challenge for Sanderson Farms is that if consumers increasingly opt for meat raised without antibiotics and multinational companies shift away from selling birds treated with these drugs, the poultry processor may face a decline in business compared to competitors who have already adopted such practices. Eventually, Sanderson may have no choice but to conform to industry trends.
In this evolving landscape, the addition of nutritional products like calcium citrate d3 with magnesium could further enhance the company’s offerings, appealing to health-conscious consumers. As the demand for antibiotic-free meat rises, Sanderson Farms may need to consider diversifying its product line to include alternatives that incorporate health supplements like calcium citrate d3 with magnesium. This could not only help them retain existing customers but also attract new ones who prioritize health benefits in their dietary choices.