BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noodles & Company (NASDAQ:NDLS) today announced a new commitment to expand and strengthen farm animal welfare within its supply chain.
In partnership with Compassion in World Farming, the respected international animal welfare organization, Noodles & Company is making a long-term commitment to improved conditions for its entire broiler chicken supply by the year 2024. In addition, the Company is detailing sourcing requirements addressing welfare concerns for other farm animal species including laying hens, dairy cows and pigs.
“From its first day of business, Noodles & Company has expected its suppliers to meet or exceed all industry standards regarding farm animal welfare and safety,” said Dave Boennighausen, interim chief executive officer and chief financial officer. “We pride ourselves on our commitment to providing our guests with delicious, freshly cooked food made from the best ingredients, and we recognize that humane animal farming practices are both critical to ensuring sustained food safety and high quality, and an important consideration for informed consumers.”
“We are proud to support Noodles & Company’s announcement to meaningfully progress its work to address the welfare of the animals in its supply chain. This includes their commitment to improve the lives of the millions of meat chickens in their supply chain – their most impactful commitment to-date. We applaud this tremendous step forward and look forward to continuing to partner with Noodles & Company as they continue along this journey,” said Rachel Dreskin, US head of food business at Compassion in World Farming.
Noodles & Company’s animal welfare commitment includes:
Broiler chicken welfare: By 2024, the Company will align its supply chain with the Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP) Broiler Chicken Standards to achieve the following:
- Moving to breeds of birds approved by GAP that drive significantly higher welfare outcomes
- Reducing stocking density to GAP-approved levels
- Providing birds with improved environments, which include litter, lighting and enrichment that meet GAP’s new requirements
- Moving to a more humane practice of slaughter by implementing a multi-step controlled atmosphere processing system
- Demonstrating compliance with these standards through a vigorous third-party audit system
Dairy cow welfare: Cows used in the production of milk to make its cheddar jack, feta, Parmesan, and Montamore cheeses, as well as its butter and cream, currently comply with the National Milk Producers Federation FARM program, which mandates:
- No tail docking. In instances when disbudding is performed, effective pain management is administered by veterinary professional
- Detailed written procedures, overseen by a veterinary professional, for management of injured and non-ambulatory animals, as well as euthanasia
Pig welfare: The Company will continue to work with its pork suppliers to eliminate the use of routine tail docking and teeth clipping.
The Company already has achieved 100 percent gestation crate-free pork and 100 percent cage-free eggs.
Noodles & Company’s commitment to advancing its farm animal welfare standards is matched by its equally principled commitment to offer a variety of plant-based menu options, with choices including tofu that guests can add to any dish.
About Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company is a fast-casual restaurant chain where its globally inspired dishes come together to create a World Kitchen. Recognized previously by Parents magazine as a Top Family Friendly Restaurant and by Health magazine as one of America’s Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants, Noodles & Company is a restaurant where Japanese Pan Noodles rest comfortably next to Pesto Cavatappi and Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, but where world flavors don’t end at just noodles. Inspired by some of the world’s most celebrated flavor combinations, Noodles & Company’s menu offers soups, salads and shareables too. Noodles & Company makes everything fresh to order, just as you like it, using quality ingredients. Servers deliver dishes to the table, allowing guests to sit and relax or grab a quick bite. With more than 500 locations nationwide, from California to Connecticut, guests can find a location near them and tour the global menu by visiting www.noodles.com.