NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                    11 June 2001

WOOLWORTHS CHICKENS DON’T EAT THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Woolworths today became the first South African retailer to remove animal by-products from the diet of all its poultry.

This bold and ground-breaking decision by Woolworths will have clear benefits for poultry suppliers and will address the health concerns of consumers who deserve to know that the poultry they eat meets the highest international standards. Animal by-products in feed are known to increase the likelihood of diseases like Foot and Mouth and Mad Cow Disease.

“I can give the assurance that the far-sighted decision we have taken is fully in line with the best standards overseas,” says Woolworths, Head of Food Technology, Dr Johan Ferreira. “By taking these steps, we will be protecting the interests of all our customers and our suppliers in the poultry industry.”

Announcing that their poultry is guaranteed to contain no animal by-products from 1 June, Woolworths has committed itself to providing the customer with absolute peace of mind. This means poultry that is wholesome, safe and clean.

Chickens don’t naturally eat each other, but when fed on animal by-products they have no choice.

Normal practice in South Africa is that most chickens are fed on a diet of animal products consisting of meat and bone meal, feet, beaks, feathers and offal. Woolworths chickens will simply not have  any of these by-products in their feed.

“We are proud to announce that we are the first retailer in South Africa to remove animal products from feed, “ said Ferreira. “All our poultry and eggs are sourced from known suppliers who enforce strict veterinary controls. We have secured their buy-in and commitment to forming a dedicated supplier base of international standing.

“We are going the extra mile to ensure that our customers get only good, wholesome and healthy poultry products.”

Woolworths’ team of technologists work closely with farmers who supply them and regular checks guarantee that all poultry complies with international best practice and mutually agreed high standards.

“Although there could be higher costs involved, we have decided to absorb these in the best interests of our customers,” he said. “We believe our customers will agree that our decision is the right way to go.”

Ferreira gave the undertaking that Woolworths would continue to provide the freshest and safest food of the very highest quality.

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