American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, is recertifying Gold’n Plump and Just BARE poultry products for their continued commitment to excellent animal welfare. Gold’n Plump first achieved certification in 2011.
“Gold’n Plump and Just BARE are familiar brands recognized by millions of Americans. We applaud their continued commitment to animal welfare – not just for improving animal lives, but for empowering ethically-minded consumers to make humane choices,” said Robin Ganzert, Ph. D. , president & CEO of American Humane.
American Humane’s farm program is the first and largest of its kind. After more than 20 years of running, the American Humane CertifiedTM program now makes the lives of about a billion farm animals better every year.
Products carrying the American Humane CertifiedTM seal come from companies that have invited independent and open inspection of their practices and protocols. Farmers follow more than 200 species-specific rules based on science. These rules were made with the help of an independent Scientific Advisory Committee made up of top experts in farming, animal behavior, and ethics for different species. Wholly independent auditors assess farms and ranches before any brand can say it is American Humane CertifiedTM.
Consumer demand for humanely raised products has risen sharply in recent years and producers and retailers are responding to this call to action. Ten of the nation’s top 12 grocery retailers now carry products that are American Humane CertifiedTM, according to a recent analysis by American Humane. More than 90% of people polled by American Humane said they were “very concerned” about the welfare of farm animals and that eating products that were raised in a humane way was “very important” to them. ”.
Pilgrim’s, the parent company of both Gold’n Plump and Just BARE, has a strong commitment to animal welfare as part of broader sustainability initiatives. American Humane believes that humane production goes hand-in-hand with sustainable production.
“Brands like Gold’n Plump and Just BARE are helping change the farm landscape by increasing the availability of humane options in grocery stores across America,” said Dr. Ganzert. “We applaud their continued commitment and look forward to many more years of excellent animal welfare.”
About American Humane American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Have you ever wondered who owns the Just Bare chicken brand when you’re at the store? As people become more concerned about the food industry’s honesty, it’s important to know who runs brands like Just Bare. The main question that everyone wants to know is who owns Just Bare chicken. To answer that, I’ll talk about the background and corporate structure of the company.
First, let’s get familiar with Just Bare and what sets them apart in the chicken market. Just Bare chicken differentiates itself by producing antibiotic-free and minimally processed poultry products. Their focus is on quality and taste while avoiding artificial ingredients or excessive processing that could diminish the nutritional value.
Just Bare chicken builds its brand identity around healthier chicken options that appeal to today’s more health and environmentally conscious consumers, Their antibiotic-free claim is a key selling point for consumers concerned about overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture,
Just Bare’s Corporate Ownership Structure
Just Bare has its own brand identity and mission, but it works as part of a larger corporate structure. There are a lot of chicken farms in the US, and Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation owns Just Bare Chicken.
In late 2016, Pilgrim’s Pride acquired Just Bare’s parent company, GNP Company, for $350 million This acquisition allowed Pilgrim’s to expand into the growing market for antibiotic-free, premium chicken products under the established Just Bare brand name
However, Pilgrim’s Pride is not stand-alone entity either. The global meat processing giant, JBS S.A., owns a majority stake of 78.5% in Pilgrim’s Pride. JBS S.A., headquartered in Brazil, is the largest meat processing company in the world.
A Look at Pilgrim’s Pride and JBS
To understand the impact of this ownership arrangement on Just Bare chicken, let’s look closer at both Pilgrim’s Pride and JBS:
Pilgrim’s Pride: As the sole owner of the Just Bare brand, Pilgrim’s Pride is in charge of running the day-to-day business, managing the supply chain, and creating new products. They are in charge of upholding Just Bare’s standards for farming without antibiotics, treating animals well, and doing as little processing as possible between the farm and the table. Pilgrim’s Pride has chicken processing plants and a network of delivery trucks all over the US.
JBS S. A. – As the main owner of Pilgrim’s Pride, the huge meat processing company JBS S A. wields considerable strategic influence. Their global reach, resources, and infrastructure help Pilgrim’s business and growth. But some customers might be wondering if JBS’s business practices and beliefs are the same as Just Bare’s dedication to environmentally friendly and humane animal farming.
The History Behind Just Bare’s Ownership
To understand how Just Bare chicken arrived under the Pilgrim’s Pride umbrella, let’s look at some key events:
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Founded by GNP Company, who launched and developed the Just Bare brand.
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In late 2016, Pilgrim’s Pride acquired GNP Company for $350 million to grow its antibiotic-free chicken business.
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In 2009, JBS USA Holdings (subsidiary of Brazilian company JBS S.A.) purchased a 64% stake in Pilgrim’s Pride.
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Over the following years, JBS continued expanding its ownership share of Pilgrim’s Pride to 78.5% by 2017.
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Through this sequence of acquisitions and investments, Just Bare chicken came under the ownership structure it remains in today.
Commitment to Quality & Sustainability
Amid these larger corporate machinations, Just Bare maintains its focus on providing quality antibiotic-free and humanely raised chicken. Both Just Bare and Pilgrim’s Pride emphasize commitments to animal welfare, sustainability, and food safety. For example:
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Just Bare promotes transparency into its chicken farming and processing. Their website shares details on their standards and practices.
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Pilgrim’s touts internal policies on animal welfare along with sustainability efforts to reduce environmental impact, including improved water conservation and lower energy use in operations.
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However, some consumers have expressed skepticism on whether large conglomerates like JBS can holistically implement such practices. But increased public scrutiny and consumer awareness continues to put pressure on the food industry’s largest players.
The Takeaway: Understanding the Bigger Picture
While Just Bare chicken offers products aligned with many consumers’ values, being aware of their parent companies provides fuller context. Knowing who owns Just Bare chicken illuminates the broader corporate landscape of food production. It also surfaces potential ethical questions regarding consolidation and sustainability in animal agriculture.
Informed consumers can analyze how Just Bare’s commitments mesh within a complex hierarchy of ownership while using their purchasing power to encourage truly transparent and responsible practices industry-wide.
At the end of the day, thoughtfully understanding who owns brands we buy from empowers us to make the most aligned choices possible as consumers and advocates for a just, ethical, and environmentally sustainable food system.
Spring 2025 Farm Newsletter
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Is the Just Bare Chicken Fillet a Chick-fil-A Sandwich Dupe?
FAQ
Is just bare ® sold as just bare ®?
It is never sold as Just Bare ®. The USDA and FDA enforce strict standards for use of medications in food animals. Antibiotics have been used responsibly and judiciously for many years by the chicken industry in the best interest of the bird and human health.
Are just bare ® natural products American Humane Certified TM?
American Humane CertifiedTM means that our Just Bare® Natural products come from chickens that were raised on family farms that are part of the annual certification audit process. Our Organic Just Bare ® products come from chickens supplied to us by certified organic farmers and do not carry the AHC label.
Are bare chickens organic?
We have absolute confidence in the safety and wholesomeness of the feed provided to our chickens. Just Bare® Organic: Our Just Bare ® Organic chickens are fed a non-GMO vegetable and grain diet. USDA Organic regulations prohibit the use of genetic engineering in production of organic products.
Who owns Pierce Chicken?
Pilgrim’s Pride bought Pierce Chicken in 2003. Pierce Chicken had been owned by ConAgra Foods and had been a part of Hester Industries before that. Pierce Chicken is best known for its brand-name Wing Dings, Wing Zings, and various other prepared food products.
Does organic just bare ® have an animal welfare policy?
Our Organic Just Bare ® products come from chickens supplied to us by certified organic farmers and do not carry the AHC label. These farmers adhere to the animal welfare standards required under the National Organic Program. Does your company have an animal welfare policy to ensure humane treatment? What is it? Yes.
How safe is just bare® natural/deli/prepared?
Just Bare® Natural/Deli/Prepared Products: In the end, the FDA oversees and controls the safety of feed ingredients such as genetically modified (GM) crops to make sure that both people and animals can safely eat them. We do the same. We have absolute confidence in the safety and wholesomeness of the feed provided to our chickens.
What company owns Just Bare chicken?
Pilgrim’s®, the company behind the Just Bare® brand, recognizes our ethical obligation to the health and humane care of our chickens—and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Is Pilgrim’s Pride owned by China?
On September 17, 2009, JBS USA Holdings, Inc. announced the purchase of 64% of the shares of Pilgrim’s Pride. JBS USA. is a subsidiary of Brazilian multinational JBS S.A., the largest meat processor in the world, and the largest by revenue. Currently JBS USA Holdings, Inc. owns 78.5% of the company.
Is Just Bare chicken like Chick-fil-A?
Look for Just Bare’s Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks. This Costco find is the perfect dupe! Made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, they have the flavor and crunch we look for at Chick-fil-A. But most importantly, they don’t require us to get dressed and go to a drive-thru.
Where is Just Bare chicken located?
Just Bare Chicken, while not having a single physical store location, is widely available at national retailers like Costco and Target.