Humane Society drops lawsuits, Perdue drops labels
Humane Society drops lawsuits, Perdue drops labels
By Michael Doyle – McClatchy Washington Bureau
October 13, 2014
WASHINGTON — The Humane Society of the United States has dropped two federal lawsuits, in exchange for Perdue Farms dropping use of the phrase “humanely raised” on the company’s Harvestland chicken labels.
The agreement announced Monday ends the legal clucking that began with an initial suit filed in 2010 in New Jersey. A second suit followed in Florida last year, likewise charging Perdue with false advertising. The Humane Society contended the birds advertised as “humanely raised” were, in fact, subjected to conventional industry practices.
Perdue rejected the allegations, but in the settlement agreed to stop using the label.
“We are pleased to see the claim removed from Harvestland’s packaging, which we view to be misleading,” Peter Petersan, director of Animal Protection Litigation for the Humane Society, said in a statement.
Herb Frerichs, general counsel for Perdue Farms, said in the joint statement that “Perdue is committed to treating animals with respect and to ensure their health and safety. We are pleased this lawsuit has been resolved.”