“Certified Humane Raised and Handled” Label Awarded to MBA Poultry Brand Organic Smart Chicken®

Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) has awarded its Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label to Organic Smart Chicken®, a line of fresh air-chilled poultry produced by MBA Poultry of Waverly, Neb.

“MBA Poultry joins the growing list of producers who have received the Certified Humane Raised and Handled certification,” says Adele Douglass, executive director of HFAC. “With Organic Smart Chicken®, compassionate consumers now have even more choices for wholesome products for themselves and their families.”

The Certified Humane Raised and Handled label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced according to HFAC’s precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior. Since HFAC’s program was unveiled in May 2003, more than 56 companies have been certified.

“The Certified Humane Raised and Handled label furthers MBA’s commitment to animal welfare and sustainable agriculture. We are proud to partner with HFAC to broaden our position as the industry leader in product quality and innovation,” says Mark Haskins, founder and CEO of MBA Poultry.

Organic Smart Chicken® is raised on an exclusively organic farm in Nebraska and is distributed in 45 states to more than 2,500 retail outlets. MBA is recognized as the pioneer in the United States of the European method of air chilling birds as well as controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS). Air chilling allows the natural flavor to remain in the meat with no added water. MBA is the only commercial poultry company in the US utilizing CAS, which puts birds to sleep prior to sacrifice, a much more humane practice that also improves product quality. More information is available at www.smartchicken.com.

HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors. HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals.

News from Humane Farm Animal Care
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia (703) 435-3883

For Immediate Release
Contact: Michele Wells, Humane Farm Animal Care (303) 417-0696
Jesse Nonte, MBA Poultry 402-786-1000