FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Trader Joe's announced Thursday that it will stop
carrying eggs from a central California farm where an animal rights group shot
undercover video showing chickens being mistreated by workers.
Footage released earlier this week by the Chicago-based nonprofit Mercy for
Animals showed hens at Gemperle Enterprises' farms confined in crowded metal
cages with rotting bird corpses.
The Monrovia-based chain decided against carrying Gemperle eggs because "it
is of utmost importance that all of our vendors abide by industry established
animal care practices," Trader Joe's spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said.
Previously, the chain's Northern California and Northern Nevada stores had
sourced conventional eggs from NuCal Foods Inc., which also distributes eggs
from Gemperle and dozens of other farms to Raley's and SaveMart Supermarkets.
Mochizuki said the Trader Joe's ban on Gemperle eggs was indefinite.
Raley's plans to continue to carry all eggs from NuCal, but "does not
condone any acts of cruelty to animals," said spokeswoman Nicole Townsend.
A SaveMart Supermarkets spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking
comment.
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