A secret investigation conducted by the Animal Outlook organization revealed that several workers at the Foster Farms plant in Fresno County, California, committed horrific acts of violence against live chickens. The video, recorded in June and July, documents shocking scenes of workers violently throwing birds into cages, while another worker casually drives a forklift over some of them, crushing them. The organization called for criminal charges to be brought against these workers and submitted the case to the County District Attorney’s office.
What stands out in this incident is that Foster Farms and the largest poultry producer in California — did not deny the scandal. The company claimed it had discovered the violations even before the video was released and responded by terminating the involved workers and referring them to law enforcement. The company described the actions as a complete violation of its “zero-tolerance” policy on animal abuse.
However, Cheryl Leahy, the Executive Director of Animal Outlook, questioned the company’s intentions, pointing to evidence suggesting that some Foster Farms supervisors were complicit in the abuse. This indicates the issue is not merely about rogue workers but reflects a broader culture of institutional neglect. She emphasized that such cruelty is not an isolated incident but rather an inevitable outcome of an industrial system that treats living beings as mere numbers and profits — not as lives.
In response to the backlash, the company announced several steps to improve animal welfare, including appointing a Chief Animal Welfare Officer, intensifying training and oversight programs, and expanding its internal monitoring teams across facilities. Still, questions remain about the company’s sincerity and whether it is truly willing to accept institutional — not just individual — accountability in a scandal that has shaken public opinion.