Progress! Starbucks Takes Steps to Improve Animal Welfare

Starbucks, the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, announced last week that it is making significant updates to its animal welfare standards.

As part of the new plan, gestation crates for mother pigs and cages for egg-laying hens will be phased out. Additionally, Starbucks will require its suppliers to eliminate artificial growth hormones and other rapid-growth practices for poultry.

Starbucks is also considering dairy cows and promises to address cruel practices such as tail docking and dehorning.

In a revised animal welfare statement on its website, Starbucks declares: “Our priority is to ensure we offer food made with ingredients such as cage-free eggs, gestation crate-free pork and poultry processed through more humane systems.

While we look forward to the day that Starbucks gives up animal products altogether, this new policy change is certainly progress.

And remember, Starbucks currently offers a variety of vegan options from soy and coconut milks to oatmeal, juices, and fruit.

For more information on how you can help farmed animals, visit ChooseVeg.com and learn about switching to a cruelty-free vegan diet.