Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) strongly affirms the company's policy in applying no antibiotic or hormones in its operations. An innovative farming method focusing on preventing diseases allows the company to ban antibiotic and consequently comply with international food safety standards.
Mr.Virachai Ratanabanchuen, Chief Operating Officer - Chicken Business, said that CPF's veterinarian team has upheld the "reasonable treatment principle" and the "one health" principle that highlights the focus in the health of humans, animals and environment for the holistic health of all. The absence of antibiotic in the operations is in line with these international principles. Without the substances, animals are healthy thanks to proper management; all facilities are cleaned, properly equipped with disease-preventing and ventilation systems. Animals are fed with clean food and water. Antibiotic are also substituted by vitamins and pro-biotics.
In the event of disease outbreaks and animals need treatment accordingly to welfare standards, drugs are administered proportionately and in a strictly controlled manner, under the judgment of in-charge veterinarians who must hold the licenses from the Department of Livestock Development. The veterinarians will supervise the drug-free period, before the animals are sent to slaughter houses. Animal drug residue is traced before the slaughter, to assure consumers that CPF’s chicken is antibiotic-free.
Mr.Virachai added that Thailand’s farming process has been improved significantly, thanks to strict regulatory control. For instance, the Department of Livestock Development sets out strict requirements concerning farm standards and pre-slaughter residue testing. As a result, Thailand’s chicken industry has won international recognition, particularly the European Union and Japan which demands super-high food safety standards. Thailand has become the world’s fourth largest chicken exporting country and chicken for domestic consumption is of export quality. As such, consumers can be assured of the safety of chicken, either produced by CPF or other companies.
