WATT PoultryUSA - February 2016 - 33
WATTPoultryUSA Shah said ARCOP's leadership shares General Mills' concerns about sustainability, and its leadership is involved in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, a recently formed industry group focused on improving beef sustainability. Organic, antibiotic, hormone and GMO free Scrutiny on sustainable practices is also raising questions about the introduction of antibiotics, hormones and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in animal feeds and how that affects the composition of the food that finds its way to the table. In reaction, consumers are turning to organic products. When asked which of these four issues are most persistent among U.S. consumers, Lein said demand for organic is pervasive, but it's a small segment of consumers who are pushing for organic products. Shah said addressing antibiotic use in animal feed is a high priority. In September, Arby's, along with a host of other fast-food chains, was issued a failing grade in a report on antibiotic policies authored by environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also taking steps to eliminate antibiotics in animal feed. FAST FACTS: ARBY'S RESTAURANT GROUP INC. FOUNDED: 1964 RESTAURANTS: 3,400 locations ABOUT: Arby's, based in Sandy Springs, Georgia, is owned by private-equity firm Roark Capital and The Wendy's Company. Roark Capital owns the vast majority of the company. ARCOP Inc., Arby's Supply Chain Cooperative, is in charge of supplying the restaurant's ingredients. The use of GMOs is harder to stop. Shah said GMOs are already present in animal feed, and his organization cannot drive its use through its current supply chain. Additionally, Shah said changing the supply chain to match up with these trends creates concern Soy February 2016 ❙ www.WATTAgNet.com Sorghum Wheat & wDDGS Corn & cDDGS Barley ❙ 31
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