Food Engineering logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Engineering logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest Headlines
    • Manufacturing News
    • People & Industry News
    • Plant Openings
    • Recalls
    • Regulatory Watch
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Plant Products
    • New Retail Products
  • TOPICS
    • Alternative Protein
    • Automation
    • Cannabis
    • Cleaning | Sanitation
    • Fabulous Food Plants
    • Food Safety
    • Maintenance Strategies
    • OEE
    • Packaging
    • Sustainability
    • More
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Plant Construction Survey
    • Plant of the Year
    • Sustainable Plant of the Year
    • State of Food Manufacturing
    • Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
  • MEDIA
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • FOOD MASTER
  • EVENTS
    • Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo
    • Industry Events
  • RESOURCES
    • Newsletter
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • FE Store
    • Government Links
    • Industry Associations
    • Market Research
    • Classified Ads
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issue
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Latest headlines

Alleged chicken abuse caught on undercover video

By Jeremy Gerrard
November 20, 2014

Alleged chicken abuse caught on undercover videoAnimal rights group Mercy for Animals released hidden-camera footage this week it says documents the cruel conditions and provides proof of workers abusing animals at chicken facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Both facilities are owned by Chicago-based Koch Foods, which Mercy for Animals says supplies chickens to the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A.

Chick-fil-A says it has not sourced any of its chicken products from Koch since April of 2013, which officials from Koch confirmed.

Koch called the video inaccurate and said the company emphasizes a “strict adherence to USDA regulations and animal welfare guidelines of the National Chicken Council.”

Koch said it trains its processing employees on animal welfare practices and require independent contractor chicken catchers to adhere to welfare guidelines of the National Chicken Council.

Koch said no violations of animal welfare practices were found at the Tennessee facility during its last audit in September.

“As the CEO of the company, I take these allegations very seriously as I should,” said Joe Grendys, CEO of Koch. “The company will not stand for a violation of the important processes and standards that we have in place. Koch Foods will remain vigilant to ensure it continues to operate in a humane, clean and safe manner.”

Chick-fil-A said it supports the humane treatment animals and does not condone their mistreatment at any point along the supply chain.

KEYWORDS: food processing industry

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Jeremy Gerrard was Food Engineering's Digital/Online Editor. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in journalism. His previous work experience includes years spent as a reporter with the Daily Local News out of Chester County, PA. In addition to writing feature articles for Food Engineering, Jeremy covered the Dry Processing, Field Reports and People and Industry news sections.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • 2025 Top 100 Food and Beverage Companies

    FOOD ENGINEERING’s 2025 Top 100 Food and Beverage Companies

    While sales were largely down under dynamic economic and...
    Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
    By: Alyse Thompson-Richards
  • Bottling machine

    How Optical and X-Ray Inspection Supports Bottling Safety and Quality

    By transitioning from legacy single-technology systems to...
    Food Safety
    By: Dan McKee
  • Bread baking in oven

    The State of Food Manufacturing in 2025

    Food and beverage manufacturers are investing in...
    State of Food Manufacturing
    By: Alyse Thompson-Richards
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • Newsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

The Campbell's Company logo

Campbell’s Terminates Exec Over Alleged Disparaging Comments

Frito-Lay logo

PepsiCo to Close Two Florida Facilities

alternative protein products

Alternative Protein in 2025: Key Trends and Technologies

State of Maufacturing 2025

Events

June 17, 2025

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ State of the Cold Chain

On Demand Kelley Rodriguez, Editor in Chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, will be joined in this 60-minute webinar by industry experts to help unpack the latest research.

July 23, 2025

Decarbonizing Process Heat: What You Should Know and Next Steps

On Demand Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Recent Advances in Ready-to-Eat Food Technology

Recent Advances in Ready-to-Eat Food Technology

See More Products

CHECK OUT OUR NEW ESSENTIAL TOPICS

Alternative ProteinAutomationCleaning/SanitationFabulous Food Plants

Food SafetyMaintenance StrategiesOEE

PackagingSustainability

Related Articles

  • Foster Farms suspends 5 employees after animal abuse video surfaces

    See More
  • Minnesota pork processor announces more changes over undercover video

    See More
  • Foster Farms investigating its facilities after undercover video released

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • April 25, 2013

    Food Plant of the Future: Global Food Safety Impact on Facilities

    On-Demand: SQF 2000, FSMA, ISO 22000/PAS220 and other standards continue to gain traction in an attempt to create safer foods and beverages. 
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Elevate your expertise in food engineering with unparalleled insights and connections.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Food Master
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing