Butterball Turkey Farm Raided

Officials in North Carolina raided a Butterball turkey farm Thursday after Mercy for Animals released a video reportedly showing animal cruelty on the farm.

The animal rights advocacy group says they found birds being beaten, dragged, stomped on, and kicked in the farms. The video shows such abuse, as well as turkeys with painful ulcers and sores. The disturbing video may be found here. (Warning: Not suitable for young children.)

Butterball released a statement Thursday saying that the company was complying with the official investigation.

“Butterball has a zero tolerance policy for any mistreatment of our birds or the failure to immediately report mistreatment of our birds by any associates... Employees found in violation of Butterball’s animal welfare policies will be subject to immediate termination," the statement said.

Butterball claims to account for 20 percent of U.S. turkey production. Mercy for Animals had previously exposed animal cruelty at Sparboe Farms, one of McDonald's egg suppliers. McDonald's and Target subsequently dropped the supplier.

The Daily Byte is a regular column dedicated to covering interesting food news and trends across the country. Click here for previous columns.

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