HERNDON, Va. — Mantiqueira Alimentos, the largest egg producer in South America and the 12th largest egg producer in the world, has received Certified Humane® certification from Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the leading international nonprofit certification program improving the lives of farm animals in food production, for two egg brands – Happy Eggs and Taeq, the brand produced for Pão de Açúcar supermarkets in Brazil.
In a few weeks, Mantiqueira's Happy Eggs and Taeq brands will carry HFAC's Certified Humane® label, which assures consumers that the eggs have been produced according to HFAC's precise Animal Care Standards. Farm animals raised Certified Humane® must be fed nutritious diets without antibiotics, hormones, and animal by-products. Among other things, animals also must also receive proper shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behaviors, like flapping their wings.
"The achievement of the animal welfare certification makes us very happy because it ensures we are on the right path in our cage free production system," says Leandro Pinto, founder and owner of Mantiqueira. "At Mantiqueira, we always work very seriously, innovating and improving our production systems to provide healthy and quality food."
Luiz Mazzon, President of Latin America Instituto Certified Humane, says, "Mantiqueira's investment in animal welfare paves the way for more egg producers to adopt the Certified Humane® program. By increasing the volume of Certified Humane® eggs available in Brazil, they will make it easier for food companies that use eggs as their main ingredients, like mayonnaise and pasta, to certify their operations as well."
HFAC's mission is to improve the welfare of farm animals in food production. Their Animal Care Standards were developed by a scientific committee of 40 farm animal welfare scientists and veterinarians from around the world. Since 2003, more than 665 million farm animals have been raised Certified Humane in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Peru and Chile.
Consumers can download the Certified Humane® app to find stores near them that sell Certified Humane® products. For more information on HFAC and the Certified Humane® label in Latin America, visit www.certifiedhumanebrasil.org or www.certifiedhumanelatino.org.
Source: Humane Farm Animal Care
