A first in PH: Agri company earns ‘reared without antibiotics’ certification

You’ve probably heard of poultry raised in stress-free environments, but have you heard of poultry reared without antibiotics?

For those unfamiliar, poultry products that have been reared without antibiotics mean that the chickens were raised without the use of antibiotics throughout their life cycle.

It’s an important distinction to note when buying poultry, even if you’re not health-conscious. Experts have long warned against the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals raised for food, as it contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance among humans. If unaddressed, bacteria that cause different illnesses would grow resistant to antibiotics designed to neutralize them, resulting in serious infections that could have been cured easily.

In a first for the country, Bounty Plus, a key division of Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, Inc., recently became the first Philippine company to receive the “Reared Without Antibiotics” (RWA) certification from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Inc. (LRQA), a globally respected assurance provider. The certification was given after Bounty Plus farms, processing plants, and feed mills successfully met stringent standards for raising chickens without antibiotics.

This landmark achievement comes at a time when Filipinos are being urged to seek healthier food choices.

“We are incredibly proud to be the first in the Philippines to achieve this certification,” said Atty. Kenneth Cheng, CEO of Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, Inc. “It reflects our deep commitment to delivering healthier, responsibly produced chicken to Filipino consumers while adhering to world-class animal welfare and environmental standards. As we continue this journey, we remain dedicated to expanding our RWA-certified farms and feed mills.”

Bounty added in a release that the RWA certification affirms its science-backed approach to animal health, focusing on preventive care, optimal nutrition, and strict biosecurity measures. While not all farms have received certification yet, Bounty Plus is actively expanding its antibiotic-free practices across its operations.

Bounty further explained that LRQA’s “Reared Without Antibiotics” standards are stricter than the “no antibiotic residue” approach, which only ensures the final product is antibiotic-free.

To help consumers easily identify Bounty’s antibiotic-free products, all poultry from the certified Bounty Plus farms will carry the official LRQA RWA certification logo. EVD

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