Hillshire Brands Commits to Gestation Crate Ban

The Hillshire Brands Company announced last Friday that it will eliminate gestation crates from its pork supply chain by the end of 2022. The company explained in a statement, “The Hillshire Brands Company … is actively engaged in advancing … alternatives to traditional gestational [stall] housing,” and further expressed its commitment improving animal welfare, revealing plans to source its pork from suppliers with housing facilities that allow the animals the freedom of movement and necessary comfort. Hillshire is the latest in a growing list of food retailers pledging to go crate-free, with Jack in the Box, Weinerschnitzel, and Harris Teeter making similar announcements in September.