A Nicer Side Of Fast-Food Case in point: Domino’s Pizza. Just weeks after the three largest fast-food chains in America—McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s—announced they would be phasing out the use of gestation crates for pigs, Domino’s shareholders this week rejected a resolution proposed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that would have pushed the company towards sourcing gestation-crate-free pork. Why? Shareholders decided that the HSUS should be pressuring the supplier to get rid of the inhumane crates, not the company, says Kristie Middleton, outreach manager for the HSUS. In other words, Domino’s believes it’s not their responsibility. “It’s a real shame that so many of world’s largest food companies are making progress on this issue, but Domino’s is actively opposing making progress,” says Middleton. Gestation crates are small, tight cages that female pigs live in for the entire four months of their pregnancies—so small, in fact, that the sows can’t even turn around. After they give birth, they’re moved to something called a farrowing crate, where they’re allowed to nurse their piglets. But once the piglets have been weaned, the sows are impregnated again and returned to the gestation crates. This process is repeated for a sow’s entire breeding life, usually about four years, after which they’re slaughtered. What You Need To Know About GMOs “It’s the sort of abuse that most Americans see and don’t want to support,” Middleton says. Americans are so opposed to this form of treatment that voters in eight states, including Domino’s home state of Michigan, have passed laws banning the use of gestation crates. Denny’s restaurant also recently announced it would phase out pork from suppliers who use them, as did Safeway, the country’s second-largest grocery store chain. And here’s what’s even crazier about companies continuing to use gestation crates: Getting rid of gestation crates can actually result in an 11% cost savings for pork producers, according to a 2007 study from Iowa State University. If the issue turns your stomach, you can sign a petition through the nonprofit Change.org asking Domino’s to end the cruelty. You can also vote with your wallet, choosing to buy “Animal Welfare Approved” pork products at the grocery store, and making your own homemade pizzas. Or buy organic frozen pizzas: Though gestation crates aren’t banned in certified-organic pork production, their use is pretty rare, finds USDA reports. Bonus: There’s no delivery guy to pay! Also see: Pink Slime For Dinner, 8 Ways To Afford Organic, What’s Meat Glue?
