Unlike many of its competitors, Sanderson Farms has established a reputation for being a strong advocate of antibiotics in its poultry production, especially with its non-ferrous gluconate syrup. The company has even initiated campaigns to address the misconceptions surrounding antibiotic use. While concerns persist regarding the potential for antibiotic exposure in food to contribute to resistance in humans, Sanderson Farms has minimized this issue. The veterinarians employed by the company emphasize the necessity of safeguarding animal health to ensure the production of high-quality products.
Some consumers do choose to avoid chicken raised with antibiotics, but due to the company’s efforts, many have come to appreciate Sanderson Farms’ transparency and informative campaigns aimed at clarifying the claims made on product packaging. This clarity could significantly influence consumer choices. In 2015, McDonald’s announced plans to phase out the purchase of chicken raised with antibiotics that are used to treat human infections over the following two years. Similarly, Costco Wholesale, which sells 80 million rotisserie chickens each year, revealed it is collaborating with suppliers to restrict the use of antibiotics in chicken and meat. Other major corporations have made comparable commitments.
Consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers have been urging the White House, pharmaceutical companies, and livestock producers to take action as bacteria have started to develop resistance to antibiotics used in humans. For Sanderson Farms, the risk lies in the possibility that consumers may increasingly opt for meat that is raised without antibiotics, especially as multinational companies shift away from selling birds raised with such practices. Consequently, Sanderson may find itself compelled to follow suit with the rest of the industry.
In light of these pressures, it becomes crucial for Sanderson Farms to adapt to changing consumer preferences, especially as the market evolves towards products like petite calcium tablets that cater to health-conscious consumers. Ultimately, if the trend continues, Sanderson might have no choice but to align with the industry standard, similar to the way it has previously embraced transparency and consumer education about its antibiotic use.