MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods
(TSX: MFI) today announced it is investing approximately
$28 million to transition its
Edmonton poultry processing
facility to world-class controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS)
technology, reflecting its commitment to building on its leadership
in animal care, the poultry sector and value-added branded fresh
chicken.
Maple Leaf will convert its transportation, lairage and
receiving area and handling systems to optimize rest-time and
create a climate-controlled environment as it implements this
technology. The new lairage system will enhance lighting, air
quality and temperature control, allowing chickens to rest
comfortably and significantly reducing stress. The CAS technology
selected is a very humane system that will ensure birds are fully
insensible prior to processing. The conversion will result in a
26,000-square foot expansion at the Edmonton facility, which is expected to be
completed by the end of 2019.
"We are on a journey to become the most sustainable protein
company on earth and being a leader in animal care is a cornerstone
of this vision," said Michael
McCain, president and CEO, Maple Leaf Foods. "We are
deploying world-class technologies and best practices that support
our goal to eliminate stress and pain and provide humane treatment
of animals in our care, while enhancing employee health and safety
and food quality. With Canada's
leading poultry brands, we are advancing many dimensions of
sustainability, from eliminating antibiotics, to best practices in
animal care and dramatic reductions in our environmental
footprint."
"Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS) provides many advantages
to animal welfare, ensuring chickens are fully unconscious and
humanely euthanized, while greatly reducing stress," according to
Dr. Greg Douglas, vice-president,
animal care. "This technology, which we have also installed at our
pork processing facility in Manitoba, is acknowledged as a best practice
around the world," Douglas added.
Maple Leaf Foods is also installing Remote Video Auditing at
this facility, a powerful training and auditing tool that supports
rigorous monitoring and compliance to best practices of animal
care. This will be the ninth implementation as part of Maple Leaf's
commitment to incorporate Remote Video Auditing across its
network.
Poultry is the most consumed protein in Canada and Maple Leaf Foods has the leading
national brands and market position in value-added poultry, which
continues to experience significant growth. To support its
leadership, Maple Leaf has added a second shift at this facility to
keep pace with demand and recently invested approximately
$16 million to expand capacity at its
hatchery operations in Wetaskiwin,
Alberta. Maple Leaf has additionally reached an agreement to
acquire two poultry processing facilities and related supply, with
significant value-added capabilities, from Cericola Farms.
About Maple Leaf Foods
Maple Leaf
Foods Inc. is a leading consumer protein company, making high
quality, innovative products under national brands including Maple
Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections®,
Schneiders®, Schneiders® Country Naturals®, Mina®, SWIFT®
LightlifeTM and Field Roast Grain Meat Co.TM.
The Company employs approximately 11,500 people and does business
in Canada, the U.S. and
Asia. The Company is headquartered
in Mississauga, Ontario and its
shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).
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SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.