Not in My Food.org : Know what you're eating
It’s been several months since we first asked Trader Joe’s to be a public health leader and stop selling meat raised on antibiotics. But so far the company has refused to meet with us, and continues to fall back on the argument that they give shoppers a choice of meats (which misses the point).
When Thanksgiving rolls around, however, Trader Joe’s clearly knows that its shoppers want meat raised without antibiotics. Again this year, to stand out from the crowd, Trader Joe’s is selling only no-antibiotic turkeys for Thanksgiving.
That’s a great marketing pitch to get shoppers into the store for their big Thanksgiving food buying binge, but to have real impact we need grocers to stop selling antibiotic meat year-round, not just during the holidays.
Most factory farms pump animals full of antibiotics so they grow faster and to help them survive unsanitary living conditions. That in turn makes antibiotics less effective, and contributes to the growing crop of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’ in humans. The best way to get producers to stop overusing drugs is if major grocery chains refuse to stock and sell their antibiotic-raised poultry, beef and pork.
Trader Joe’s is a progressive grocer, and is likely to respond to what shoppers want. Take a moment now and send a message to Trader Joe’s CEO. Tell him thanks for the no-antibiotics turkeys during the holidays – but we know Trader Joe’s can do even better by making this a policy for all the meat they sell.
Why do you single out Trader Joe’s for all these actions?
Why do you ignore all the other chain groceries?
Your actions definitely do not pass the sniff test.
It’s worth mentioning that TJ’s has much higher standards for all its products than just about everybody else.
Just one example, look at their policy with regard to ducks.
After todays report on Turkey meat Ill not be buying it from Trader Joes — and I do find it deceptive that they sell turkeys only at Christmas without antibiotics… it took me 10 minutes to affirm trader joes DOES use meat raised with antibiotics— but, to me, they market themselves a an : organic: progressive grocer … just not true
I also object to the unprincipled targeting Trader Joes instead of one of the much larger and far less progressive chains such as Ralph’s or Vons. Your ad in the LA Times offended me, and motivated me to make this post. TJ’s does NOT falsely advertise. Anyone who bothers to read the labels will see they sell a mix of products; organic and not, with antibiotics and not, and so on. Go after the big boys – or are you afraid you don’t have the clout?
Rob,
I agree. I think someone is definitely targeting Trader Joe’s for some reason which has nothing to do with food quality, truth, or anything else.
We have in no way accused TJ’s of falsely advertising. They have several lines of meat products (Organic, Natural, and conventional) and the packages are labeled as such. Their Organic and Natural meats are from animals not raised on antibiotics, but much of the other meat (all pork and turkey, some chicken and beef) is conventional, i.e. typically raised with regular administering of antibiotics.
Trader Joe’s is great on some things – but they sell meat raised with antibiotics and Consumers Union thinks they are well-positioned to transition away from these products. For one, Trader Joe’s – unlike most other supermarket chains – largely sells it’s own brand products. They have direct relationships with and control over their supply chain and can make the demand to their meat suppliers that their label will not be on meat from animals raised with antibiotics. We also know that TJ’s is often willing to step up to the plate on these kinds of public health issues. We’re hoping they’ll do the right thing on this, and then we’ll be able to convince other grocers to follow suit.
This makes no sense.
Why not go after the other supermarket chains at the same time?
Every supermarket chain has direct relationships with its supply chain – how else do think they can operate?
Why do you believe that other supermarket chains will follow Trader Joe’s in particular?
Again, why do you continue targeting only, repeat only, Trader Joe’s and not go after others in parallel?