November 19th, 2011
05:37 PM ET

McDonald's, Target drop egg supplier after animal cruelty report

McDonald's and Target dropped an egg supplier this week after an activist group released disturbing video showing what it says shows animal cruelty at three of the company's barns.

The undercover video, released by Mercy for Animals, was allegedly shot between May and August at facilities run by Sparboe Farms in Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota. It shows hens crammed in crowded cages, workers burning beaks and one, trying to shove a bird inside the pocket of a co-worker, apparently for fun. Another worker presses his thumb against the back of a chick's neck until it breaks.

"Regarding the undercover videos, the behavior on tape is disturbing and completely unacceptable. McDonald's wants to assure our customers that we demand humane treatment of animals by our suppliers. We take this responsibility - along with our customers' trust - very seriously. It's important to note that the most alarming actions on video did not occur at Sparboe's Vincent, Iowa, facility that supplies McDonald's. Nonetheless, our extremely high standards for our suppliers prohibit this conduct," McDonald's said in a statement, announcing its decision to cut ties with Sparboe Farms.

Target similarly said it was dropping Sparboe Farms, which describes itself as the fifth-largest shell egg producer and marketer in the United States.

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Filed under: Animals • Colorado • Fast Food • Food • Iowa • Minnesota
soundoff (68 Responses)
  1. gung hoe

    Thanks chrissey @mmmm I did not mean that in a bad way ,If I knew french that most for sure be my name.@chrissey hows been goin since your bad spell

    November 19, 2011 at 7:26 pm | Report abuse |
  2. chrissy

    goin good and at mmmm i wasnt bein nasty to you, i just meant cuz gung was bein witty sheesh.

    November 19, 2011 at 7:31 pm | Report abuse |
  3. gung hoe

    Must be mmmms friend is over

    November 19, 2011 at 7:39 pm | Report abuse |
  4. bobcat (in a hat)

    @banasy

    I like that new name. I'm unable to change over right now since I'm at work.

    Ironically, George is what I name everything. I actually do it because it drives my granddaughter insane.

    November 19, 2011 at 7:43 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Mmmmm

    Ahright, my apologies guys...I'll put that finger back in its holster...

    November 19, 2011 at 7:44 pm | Report abuse |
  6. chrissy

    what is that sposed to mean gung hoe? and if i were you i would pick youre words very carefully right now!! seriously!

    November 19, 2011 at 7:45 pm | Report abuse |
  7. gung hoe

    @mmm apoligy accepted welcome back missed ya french fry

    November 19, 2011 at 7:49 pm | Report abuse |
  8. chrissy

    not a prob mmmm, after dealing with mary last nite i totally get it. but u gotta know usually gung hoe is a serious talker so when hes witty i just gotta encourage that! laughter bein the best medicine and all...lol

    November 19, 2011 at 7:50 pm | Report abuse |
  9. rooney

    Good for Target and McDonald's! There is no excuse for the way those animals were treated. It's a shame so much of this goes on and so many people get away with it.

    November 19, 2011 at 7:51 pm | Report abuse |
  10. chrissy

    ok ttyl gotta go do a few hours of spongebob YUK lol chat with ya when they go to bed. 🙂

    November 19, 2011 at 7:53 pm | Report abuse |
  11. bobcat (in a hat)

    Whooooo lives in a pineapple under the sea. Sponge bobcat (in a hat) squarepants.

    November 19, 2011 at 8:00 pm | Report abuse |
  12. banasy©

    I only jokingly asked if Mmmmm was french because she say Tarjay, which is what me and my kids say when we're pretending to be high-brow. Mmmmm said that she was as french as french fries with french's yellow mustard on it, then she called me Mr. French. In my post back to her, I said Laugh out Loud in french. Sheesh!

    November 19, 2011 at 8:16 pm | Report abuse |
  13. banasy©

    @bc(iah), nah, don't change it. Change it when the trolls are about!

    November 19, 2011 at 8:19 pm | Report abuse |
  14. bobcat (in a hat)

    @banasy
    I agree, I like it the way it is too.

    November 19, 2011 at 8:26 pm | Report abuse |
  15. **cosmicvox*

    Support Free Range Chicken and Eggs 🙂 It's healthier for you AND we need to 'stick it' to factory farms!!!

    November 19, 2011 at 8:42 pm | Report abuse |
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