- Meets standards for animal welfare, feed, and more, so you can know about what you’re buying (and eating)
- No added growth hormones or antibiotics, ever
- No animal by-products in feed
- Raised in the USA
- Animal Welfare Certified by Global Animal Partnership
From the manufacturer
We care about how they’re raised
100+ animal welfare standards — Global Animal Partnership certified
Each Step builds on the prior’s requirements — read up on some of the details
 Base |
 Step 2 |
 Step 3 |
|---|---|---|
BaseBedding required |
Step 2Additional enrichments required |
Step 3Outdoor access required |
|
Minimum space required |
More space required |
Enrichments indoors and out |
|
No more than 25% slatted floors |
Minimum weaning age 35 days |
 Step 4 |
 Step 5 |
 Step 5+ |
|---|---|---|
Step 4Outdoors on pasture |
Step 5Continuous living on pasture |
Step 5+No transport time |
|
Outdoor shade & wallows, sprinklers, or showers required |
Minimum weaning age 56 days |
Entire life spent on same farm |
|
No physical alterations |
Our Meat Standards Aren’t Standard
At Whole Foods Market, our Meat department standards and strong relationships with farmers and ranchers mean we know where and how animals were raised. Plus, all beef, pork, chicken, lamb and turkey (except kosher turkey) in our Meat department is Animal Welfare Certified, so you can feel good about what you’re buying (and eating).
What Makes Our Meat Department Different
Farm-to-store traceability
We use a traceable audit system that tracks animals on every step of the journey — from their birth on the farm or ranch to our stores.
No antibiotics, ever
If an animal must receive antibiotic treatment, the meat cannot be sold in our Meat department.
No added growth hormones
We don’t allow the use of added hormones in our Meat department, whether that’s through feed, injections or any other method.
No animal by-products in feed
That includes no feather meal or rendered fat.