From the Desk of Lampkin Butts,
Sanderson Farms President and COO

Concerning: What’s in Some Fresh Chicken labeled “100% All Natural”?

You Should Know.

Dear Valued Consumer:

Hi!  I am writing to you about this issue that should concern all of us:  misleading labeling practices authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) for fresh poultry.

There are some chicken companies “pumping up” their fresh chicken products with up to 15% added solutions containing sea salt, water, carrageenan (a seaweed extract) and chicken broth yet labeling them as “100% All Natural.”  As a result, you may be unknowingly paying chicken prices for added water while adding unwanted sodium to your diet.  I believe it is wrong for the USDA-FSIS to allow companies to market their products to consumers as “Natural” when in fact it has been “pumped” or “injected” with these additives.   

At Sanderson Farms we believe “100% All Natural” chicken should be just that, chicken, and that current labeling guidelines that allow otherwise are wrong.   

What We’re Doing About It

-          First and foremost, all of our fresh chicken is 100% Chicken.  Naturally.  By that, we mean our brand of chicken will never contain additives of any kind.  You will get what you pay for, just chicken.  No added salt, water, or seaweed.  Simply Chicken.  We’ll leave it up to you to add other ingredients.

-          Secondly, we’ve joined the Truthful Labeling Coalition (TLC for short) with the goal of encouraging the USDA-FSIS to tighten its “Natural” labeling guidelines for fresh chicken and, in doing so, help ensure truthfulness.  The coalition is made up of several other truly natural fresh chicken producers and is supported by more than 26,500 consumers across the U.S. and some of the country’s leading Consumer and Healthcare groups.

Here’s How You Can Help

-          If you agree with us and believe that truthful labeling is a consumer right, join us in our fight to change the USDA-FSIS “Natural” policy for labeling.  Simply go to the TLC website and click on the “TAKE ACTION” tab at the top of the page.  By joining the coalition, you will be able to send a personalized email to the USDA urging them to change their current labeling policy. 

If you are willing to support this effort, and help us preserve the use of “Natural” labeling for truly natural chicken, please consider forwarding this information to your friends and family who may also want to help tell USDA that misleading labeling is wrong.

Thank you for your time and consideration to take action.

Sincerely,

Lampkin Butts