White House turkeys ‘gobble on’ after presidential pardon
“Today, Peach and Blossom will join the free birds of the United States of America.” Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals resurfaced a 20-year-old video on Instagram last week that accuses Butterball employees of sexually abusing turkeys − and it’s causing a stir online.
“Do you know what happened to your Butterball turkey before they were killed?” PETA wrote in the description of a video posted to its Instagram on Friday.
In the video, a person who’s 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 share concern for the turkeys. “What can be done about this?” one follower replied.
The group seemingly posted the video ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, but Butterball told to USA TODAY Tuesday that the video is from 2006.
Butterball responds to 2006 video
Butterball, famous for retailing turkey products worldwide, said the video is “not current” and “was taken prior to Butterball becoming a private company and prior to our engagement and certification through American Humane.”
“Animal care and well-being is central to who we are as a company, and we are committed to the ethical and responsible care of our flocks,” a Butterball spokesperson said in a statement that was emailed to USA TODAY in response to the post.
“Eleven years ago, Butterball was the first, and remains the only, turkey company to be American Humane certified,” said the spokesperson. “That means we have yearly audits conducted by a third party to ensure compliance with our 200+ science-based standards of best practice for care of turkeys, well exceeding industry best practices.
Some followers online accused PETA of spreading misinformation.
However, PETA’s president, Ingrid Newkirk, called the American Humane certification a “sham” in a statement that was emailed to USA TODAY.
Butterball “touted meaningless ‘Animal Welfare Certified’ labels while workers were caught beating, stomping, and kicking turkeys and simulating sex acts with the suffering birds,” said Newkirk. “These companies hide behind humane-washing schemes that are merely an attempt to hoodwink the public into paying more for the same old cruelties.”
Are Butterball turkeys recalled?
The company also responded to rumors circulating about a Butterball turkey recall and said there are currently no recalls in place.
USA TODAY’s recall database does not show any current recalls for Butterball turkeys.
PETA to confront Thanksgiving shoppers
PETA has long protested the slaughter and consumption of animals.
On Wednesday, the group plans on confronting shoppers at Janssen’s Market, a grocery store in Wilmington, Delaware, with its “Hell on Wheels” truck, a “life-size, hyperrealistic turkey transport truck covered with images of the birds crammed into crates on their way to slaughter,” according to a press release.
The “Hell on Wheels” tour will visit 30 states. The organization hopes seeing the truck will stop 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, yet in the meat industry, they’re treated as unfeeling objects, crammed into filthy sheds, and slaughtered, often while they’re still conscious,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in the release. “PETA’s ‘Hell on Wheels’ truck is an appeal to Thanksgiving shoppers to give birds a break and stop the annual cycle of cruelty by choosing vegan this Thanksgiving and beyond.”
A vegan Thanksgiving?
While PETA’s claims are reportedly dated, those interested in not eating poultry this year or choosing to go vegan do have other options.
Around 29% of Americans plan on having plant-based options at their Thanksgiving table, reported SC Times, a part of the USA TODAY Network.
Those looking for a vegan alternative to turkey can purchase a holiday roast from the company Tofurky.
Folks can also find recipes from influencers online, like Caitlin Shoemaker, who posts plant-based recipes like mushroom stuffing or creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic miso compound butter on her Instagram.
This article has been updated with new information
Contributing: Teagan King, St. Cloud Times
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
