Panera Bread holds certain standards for suppliers for animal health and welfare in our supply chain. Our Beliefs on Animal Welfare statement details how these align with the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council’s Five Freedoms including humane treatment. We are on a journey, taking into account the science, available supply, and perspectives of our supplier partners and other animal welfare experts and advocates, and will continue to evolve the standards to strike the best balance for all. We aim to holistically consider human, animal and environmental issues in light of our guest’s desire for high-quality food for a good value for money.

The list below shares our expectations of suppliers and industry standards in place for the animal proteins served on sandwiches and salads in our U.S. Panera bakery-cafes. Unless a more stringent standard is noted below, all animal proteins for sandwiches and salads are required to be raised with responsible antibiotic use only prescribed by a veterinarian when necessary to address an identified disease (judicious use).

·      Chicken: Required by Panera: chicken to be raised without antibiotics; working towards the Better Chicken Commitment components, including periodic updates on progress and challenges.

·      Eggs: Panera requires all primary eggs to be cage-free from certified producers; exploring options to increase cage-free ingredient eggs.

·      Pork: Required by Panera: reduced confinement via group housing for sows once pregnancy is confirmed.

·      Turkey: In accordance with common producer practice, and required by Panera, turkeys should not be caged.

·      Beef: In accordance with common U.S. producer practice and required by Panera, beef is pastured on grass and generally finished on grain.

·      Liquid Dairy: Suppliers are required to be in good standing with the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program for animal care, which promotes continuous improvement and monitors numerous markers of health and welfare.

·      Seafood: All tuna and lobster are wild-caught.

From time to time, external or internal events or conditions such as supply chain disruptions or product recalls may occur which prevent us from meeting each of these standards fully. We may also reevaluate our commitments from time to time. We are committed to transparency and will reflect changes in our communications.