Whole Foods’ 365 chicken sourced from Perdue plants flagged for high salmonella and antibiotic resistance
Whole Foods’ 365 private-label chicken largely comes from Perdue facilities where recent USDA data show high salmonella contamination and drug-resistant strains, despite the retailer’s antibiotic-free claims.
Farm Forward sampled 247 raw chicken items from Whole Foods stores across all six regions and traced 92% of the 365 private-label product to Perdue Farms processing plants that also supply Walmart, Target and Kroger. USDA inspection records show that three of the six Perdue facilities exceeded the agency’s salmonella limits during the previous year, and 98% of the Whole Foods chicken came from plants where a highly virulent, drug-resistant strain was detected.
The report notes that Whole Foods charges consumers up to 45.7% more per pound than mainstream grocers for the same meat. Despite Whole Foods’ marketing that its meat is antibiotic-free and humanely raised, the investigation found evidence of high rates of antibiotic and multi-drug resistance in the sampled products. Farm Forward’s executive director Andrew deCoriolis warned that infections from this strain may not respond to standard antibiotics. Whole Foods and Perdue have not responded to requests for comment.
Why it matters
Consumers may be paying premium prices for chicken that carries higher health risks than advertised.
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