Is there a recall? What we know

November 27, 2024

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals resurfaced a 20-year-old video on Instagram last week accusing Butterball employees of sexually abusing turkeys — and it’s causing a stir online.

“Do you know what happened to your Butterball turkey before it was killed?” PETA wrote in the description of a video posted to Instagram on Friday.

In the video, a person whose identity is unknown accuses Butterball workers of sexually abusing the animals that Butterball slaughtered and sold to the public.

Commenters on the post were quick to express their concern for the turkeys. “What can you do about it?” one follower replied.

The group apparently posted the video before the Thanksgiving holiday, but Butterball told USA TODAY on Tuesday that the video dates back to 2006.

USA TODAY has also reached out to PETA for more information.

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Butterball responds to the 2006 video

Butterball, known for retailing turkey products worldwide, said the video is “out of date” and “was recorded before Butterball became a private company and before we dealt with and certified American Humane.”

“Animal care and welfare are central to us as a company, and we are committed to caring for our herds ethically and responsibly,” a Butterball spokesperson said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY in response to the post became .

“Eleven years ago, Butterball was the first and, to date, only turkey company to be certified by American Humane,” the spokesperson said. “This means we have annual audits conducted by a third party to ensure compliance with our 200+ science-based best practice standards for turkey care, which go well beyond industry best practices.”

Some online followers accused PETA of spreading misinformation.

Are Butterball turkeys being recalled?

The company also responded to rumors of a Butterball turkey recall, saying there are no recalls at this time.

USA TODAY’s recall database shows no current recalls for Butterball turkeys.

PETA takes Thanksgiving shoppers to task

PETA has long protested against the slaughter and consumption of animals.

On Wednesday, the group plans to confront shoppers at Janssen’s Market, a grocery store in Wilmington, Delaware, with its “Hell on Wheels” truck, a “life-size, hyper-realistic turkey truck covered in images of birds crammed into crates.” on the way to the slaughterhouse,” says a press release.

The “Hell on Wheels” tour will visit 30 states. The organization hopes the sight of the truck will deter customers from purchasing a Thanksgiving turkey the day before Thanksgiving.

“Turkeys are devoted parents who purr to their chicks and whose skin changes color to express their emotions, but in the meat industry they are treated like insensible objects, herded into filthy pens and slaughtered, often while still conscious.” said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk in the press release. “PETA’s Hell on Wheels truck is a call to Thanksgiving shoppers to give the birds a break and break the annual cycle of cruelty by choosing vegan on Thanksgiving and beyond.”

A vegan Thanksgiving?

Although PETA’s claims are reportedly outdated, those who don’t want to eat poultry this year or choose a vegan diet have other options.

According to SC Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, about 29% of Americans plan to have plant-based options at their Thanksgiving table.

If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to turkey, you can purchase a holiday roast from Tofurky.

People can also find recipes online from influencers, like Caitlin Shoemaker, who posts plant-based recipes like mushroom stuffing or creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic miso butter on her Instagram.

Contributors: Teagan King, St. Cloud Times

Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her LinkedInkeep following her X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram And TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]

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