HKScan : launches 100% antibiotic-free pork production

HKScan Oyj Lehdistötiedote 11.4.2017 8:15

HKScan Corporation has initiated 100% antibiotic-free pork production. The first batch of antibiotic-free meat will be available on the market in July 2017. Absolutely no antibiotics whatsoever are administered to this livestock at any stage of the rearing process.

The move comes in response to growing public concern over antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the reduced effectiveness of antibiotics in the treatment of diseases. HKScan's policy of antibiotic-free pork production is a direct response to market demand both on HKScan's home and export markets.

Healthy animals do not need unwarranted or preventive medication

HKScan already uses a significantly lower volume of antibiotics in the treatment of diseased animals than in most other European countries on average. Instead, the company safeguards the health of its livestock by investing resources in species-appropriate living environments, high standards of hygiene and strict biosecurity practices. In Finland, only a negligible percentage of HKScan pork is fed any medication at any stage of its lifecycle. Due to the strict withdrawal period observed by the company, all HKScan meat products are 100% antibiotic-free by the time they reach the consumer.

The most effective way to prevent antibiotic resistance is to limit the use of antibiotics strictly to the treatment of diagnosed disease, both in the case of humans and livestock. HKScan does not add antibiotics to animal feed in order to prevent diseases or promote growth. The same rule is observed both by own farms and its contract producers. In the rare event that antibiotics are administered, this always takes place under strict veterinary supervision, and only in the treatment of a diagnosed disease. We have achieved excellent results in our efforts to promote animal health and prevent disease. Our ultimate goal is to further improve our performance and minimize the use antibiotics, without however jeopardizing the health and welfare of our livestock.

Continual improvement of the HKScan Rypsiporsas rapeseed-fed pork chain: 100% domestic protein sources used in animal feed

HKScan is continually improving its Rypsiporsas rapeseed-fed pork chain, now by combining 100% antibiotic-free production with the use of domestically sourced protein in animal feed. This special pork is raised on domestic grain combined with fully domestic protein sources: rapeseed, broad beans and peas.

For further information:

• Read HKScan's antibiotics factsheet for further details on the responsible use of medication and its impact on animal health and welfare
• Ulf Jahnsson, Vice President, Producer Services, Quality and CR.
  Kindly submit a call-back request via Marja Siltala, VP Communications: marja.siltala(at)hkscan.com, tel. +358 10 570 2290.

HKScan is the leading Nordic food company. We produce, market and sell high-quality, responsibly-produced pork, beef, poultry and lamb products, processed meats and convenience foods under strong brand names. Our customers are the retail, food service, industrial and export sectors, and our home markets comprise Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. We export to close to 50 countries. In 2016, HKScan had net sales of nearly EUR 1.9 billion and some 7 300 employees.