Phoenix-based grocer Sprouts Farmers Market (Nasdaq: SFM) announced that it has altered its animal welfare policy to specifically address cow mutilation.
Sprouts is specifically pointing out dehorning, a process of burning or gouging the horn tissue out of animals' heads, as a practice they will not endorse.
The company wrote that the amendment to its policy, which expresses support for polled, or naturally hornless cows, "encourages farmers to develop programs for breeding polled, naturally hornless cows to eliminate the need for dehorning" and "this approach has demonstrated success in the beef industry and we support a similar approach in the dairy industry."
The decision came after Sprouts had been in talks with animal rights group PETA, who had been in behind-the-scenes talks with the grocer and other food service companies starting four years ago.
Sprouts is joining General Mills, Denny's, Dannon, Aramark, Kroger, Nestlé, and Dunkin' Brands (which owns Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins).
"Although PETA urges people to help end the suffering of cows by swapping cow's milk and dairy foods for vegan milks and cheeses, we work to reduce animal suffering wherever we can," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Sprouts' push to end dehorning among its suppliers is the first step toward sparing many young cows this agonizing pain."
Sprouts operates over 200 stores in states that include Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.
