DENVER, CO (March 2, 2010) - American Humane® Certified announced today that Hellmann’s® Light Mayonnaise (known as Best Foods® Light Mayonnaise west of the Rockies) will feature 100 percent cage-free eggs exclusively from American Humane Certified producers. The new Light Mayonnaise product is rolling out in stores now.

“The announcement by Hellmann’s to use only American Humane Certified cage-free eggs in their Light Mayonnaise is not only a statement about meeting their consumers’ desire to know what’s in their food and where it comes from, but an acknowledgement of the importance of credible third-party certification by a trusted organization,” said Tim Amlaw, director of American Humane Certified. “We are proud that American Humane Certified producers are providing cage-free eggs to this trusted brand.”

DENVER, Feb. 8, 2010 - The American Humane Association and the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) today praised the new HBO movie, Temple Grandin, which aired Saturday, Feb. 6. The movie depicts the life of Temple Grandin as a young woman struggling with the challenges of autism to become a successful doctor of animal science through her unique connection to animals. Dr. Grandin is widely recognized within the animal welfare and livestock-handling industries as a pioneer in the ethical treatment of animals.

"Dr. Grandin brings recognition to the significant role that animal science plays in the welfare of all animals. Her desire to be a scientist and her special insights into farm animal production led to many innovative livestock production systems that have benefited both animals and the people raising and handling animals," said Maynard Hogberg, Ph.D., immediate past president of FASS.

"Temple Grandin's innovative work has dramatically impacted animal welfare and livestock production for the benefit of animals, people and agriculture," said Tim Amlaw, director of American Humane® Certified, the farm animal welfare program. "Her unique perspective from the animals' point of view and her dedication to science have given validity to the importance of animal welfare in production of food."

"Dr. Grandin has brought about science-based farm animal welfare standards, which have been widely adopted by the animal industries and food retailers," said John McGlone, Ph.D., who chairs the FASS Animal Care Committee. "Her work has provided important recognition of the relationship of animal science and humane animal care within sustainable production systems."

FASS was formed by three founding member societies that are over 100 years old: the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), and the Poultry Science Association (PSA).  FASS represents more than 10,000 scientists from academia, government and industry engaged in a wide range of issues impacting animal agriculture, including animal welfare. The mission of FASS is to strengthen the common interests and collective good of member societies through a unified science-based voice that supports animal agriculture, animal products and food systems globally.  FASS and its members are dedicated to sound animal welfare practices founded in science.

Temple Grandin is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the American Humane Certified farm animal program. American Humane Certified, originated by the American Humane Association, is the nation's pre-eminent and fastest-growing monitoring, auditing and labeling program that attests to the humane care and handling of animals raised for food. Find out more about the American Humane Certified program at www.thehumanetouch.org.

In producing the film, HBO also engaged the services of American Humane's Film & Television Unit, which is the exclusive monitoring and granting agency to award the coveted "No Animals Were Harmed"® end-credit disclaimer. The production followed American Humane's strict Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media, had an American Humane Certified Animal Safety Representative^TM on set to ensure animal safety and welfare, and earned the famous assurance to viewers that "No Animals Were Harmed" in the making of the movie. Learn more about American Humane's Film & Television Unit.

DENVER, Oct. 27, 2009 – More than 30 animal handlers and state animal welfare agents in Winthrop, Maine, made industry history today when they successfully completed the first on-site Humane Farm Training course created and conducted by American Humane® Certified. American Humane Certified, the farm animal program originated by the American Humane Association, is the nation’s pre-eminent and fastest-growing monitoring, auditing and labeling program that attests to the humane care and handling of animals raised for food.

“The stockmen — or animal handlers — are a crucial link in the chain of ensuring improved animal care and welfare,” said Tim Amlaw, director of American Humane Certified. “Increased knowledge, coupled with healthy, humane attitudes and behaviors, creates a significantly more positive dynamic for those workers and the animals themselves, as well as for the public perception of the food industry overall.”

The graduates of the training program included humane animal welfare agents and workers from the state of Maine and Radlo Foods, one of the largest egg suppliers in New England.

Ned Porter, deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, awarded certificates to program participants. “We are pleased that a Maine company was selected as the first to receive this training,” said Porter. “It’s great that we have folks in the industry who now have a better understanding of animal welfare issues, which are important to many consumers, and to have training provided by the American Humane Association, which has so many years of experience working with agriculture.”

“Educating our employees in the proper care and handling of our laying hens is an important step to complement and expand our commitment to animal welfare,” said David Radlo, president of Radlo Foods. “The need for training and the development of experienced workers is key to our operations and paramount for the welfare of our animals.”

Some of Radlo’s egg production is already cage free and is American Humane Certified. The training program was conducted for workers in cage-free and caged operations.

“Working with American Humane on their first humane handler training will improve the practices on the farms for the betterment of the workers and the animals. This is a tremendous step forward in creating a new standard for animal welfare practices,” said Bill Bell, executive director of New England Brown Egg Council.

American Humane Certified does not certify caged egg-laying operations, but it does offer its new Humane Farm Training program to any food producer as one way of meeting the food industry’s call for better-trained animal handlers, as well as assuring consumers that food animals are humanely raised. The training program’s curriculum, whose initial development was first announced in March 2009, focuses on best practices and the science-based standards originated by American Humane Certified and its Scientific Advisory Committee.

Humane Farm Training includes early recognition of behavior or health problems that could be detrimental to the individual animal or the entire flock or herd. It addresses animal-welfare issues and poor animal husbandry that are created by a lack of worker/handler knowledge. Workers are tested at the end of the training and receive certificates upon successful completion. The program instructors are animal science professionals who provide on-site demonstrations and guidance in appropriate handling and treatment, whether in the barn or in the field.

“Inexperienced workers with a significant lack of knowledge of basic, good animal handling and husbandry practices, plus strong requests from the industry, prompted us to develop this very first, comprehensive, independent program,” noted Amlaw. “And it comes from the credible, humane and historic leader in farm animal welfare in the United States.” The program will also be available online later this year.

Radlo is committed to converting all egg production operations to new sustainable laying systems that are good for laying hens, consistent with American Humane Certified standards, as well as good for people and good for farmers. This will be achieved in part by providing Humane Farm Training to all workers and installing video monitoring equipment for observation and oversight of humane best practices in the facilities.

DENVER, October 1, 2009 – American Humane® Certified has officially launched its new humane training program that fully answers the food industry’s call for better trained animal handlers. The program’s curriculum, whose initial development was first announced in March 2009, focuses on best practices and the science-based standards originated by American Humane Certified and its Scientific Advisory Committee.

American Humane® Certified Program Certifies Pastry Smart, the First Branded Products Exclusively Using Ingredients from an American Humane Certified Producer

Butter, Milk and Eggs Used in Pastry Smart Products Come from Clover Stornetta Farms, One of the Original American Humane Certified Producers

DENVER, Aug. 3, 2009 – American Humane® Certified announced that it has certified Pastry Smart, the first branded bakery, pastry and chocolate products made exclusively with ingredients from an American Humane Certified producer. Pastry Smart is a California-based company specializing in organic par-baked breads, frozen pastries and confectionery products. The butter, milk and eggs used in all Pastry Smart products are from Clover Stornetta Farms of Petaluma, Calif., one of the original American Humane Certified producers (certified in 2000).

American Humane Certified is America’s first farm animal-welfare program. It is the fastest growing third-party independent animal-welfare certification program in the U.S. Pastry Smart is the first bakery and confectionery company to be certified by American Humane, a 131-year-old, non-profit organization that has helped lead the humane movement in the U.S.

"Animal welfare is a growing consideration in the food people choose to buy,” said Tim Amlaw, director of American Humane Certified. “Knowing that all the ingredients used to make a product have come from farms certified by American Humane is very important when selecting a brand.”

"Being the first ever and only bakery and chocolate company to have the American Humane Certified label on our products is very important to our customers. They want to know that the animals that produced the ingredients were humanely raised and cared for,” said Mark Ainsworth, president and CEO of Pastry Smart. "Animal welfare is an important consideration in the quality food we offer to our customers."

American Humane Certified developed the True Humane Tracking™ system, a proprietary, three-tiered audit system. This state-of-the-art method provides transparency, accountability and consistency to producers, retailers and consumers. Producers who successfully comply with American Humane Certified’s robust science-based standards may display and promote the American Humane Certified label on their products, attesting to their adherence to the humane animal care that consumers are demanding, along with other sustainable farming practices.

About Pastry Smart

Pastry Smart LLC is a San Francisco Bay Area Company based in the heart of Silicon Valley. It specializes in the development and production of organic par-baked and frozen pastries, breads and confectionery products. It specializes in custom-run products from individual concept prototypes to large-volume production. It has a 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility for the production of hard-to-find pastry products. The company owns, produces and operates several brands, including Shokolaat, Pastry Smart and Old World Mills. Each brand has its own area of specialty. It supplies its customers a customized product line that fits the a la carte café to the in-house catering operation and offers many consulting services: menu development, bakery kitchen design, and product development and analysis. For more information, visit: www.pastrysmart.com.

Research of Next Generation of Humane Transportation Will be Monitored

DENVER, June 30, 2009 – The nation’s leading animal-welfare monitoring and humane-labeling program for food products – American Humane® Certified -- will convene a panel of experts in animal handling, animal science, veterinary medicine and transportation-equipment manufacturing to develop improved welfare standards for design, technology and monitoring of livestock transportation. American livestock transportation equipment that meets the standards will be recognized with the American Humane Gold Award.

The partnership with the oldest U.S. farm animal welfare certification program is part of Viking’s ongoing mission to a commitment of food quality excellence.

June 16, 2009 (Denver) – Students at Viking Cooking School, a division of Viking Range Corporation, the originator of commercial-type appliances for the home, are not only learning new ways to prepare their food, they’re also learning how the food is raised, as part of a new partnership with American Humane® Certified, a program of the American Humane Association.

OAK BROOK, IL – McDonald’s USA today announced its participation with leading animal welfare scientists, academics, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and egg suppliers in a commercial-scale study of housing alternatives for egg-laying hens in the U.S., including cage-free housing. The study, which expects to involve tens of thousands of hens, will look at the sustainability impacts of different laying hen housing environments on animal health and well-being, safe and affordable food, the environment, and worker welfare. The eggs produced during this study are expected to be used in McDonald’s U.S. restaurants, provided they meet stringent food safety and quality standards.

DENVER (April 7, 2009) – The American Humane® Certified farm animal welfare program has just introduced its latest innovation: online registration of food producers who are interested in pursuing the nation’s premier humane monitoring and labeling program.

Food producers who use the new web-based system to initiate their potential participation in the certification program will automatically receive relevant information, including species-specific animal welfare standards and contract language.  Interested parties simply go to American Humane Certified website at www.thehumanetouch.org and click on the “New Producer Application” button.

DENVER, March 30, 2009 -- American Humane Certified announced today that Ann Wilkinson, associate director of global alliances for Pfizer Animal Health (PAH), has been appointed to its Scientific Advisory Committee. Dr. Wilkinson brings extensive expertise in the dairy industry to the seven-member animal science professional body, which is composed of animal welfare experts of each species. The committee meets regularly to review standards and ensure that they reflect new information and technology.

DENVER (March 17, 2009) – The American Humane Certified™ farm animal welfare program is appalled at the incidents of abuse shown last night on HBO’s “Death on a Factory Farm” documentary.

To avoid similar abusive situations for other farm animals, American Humane Certified continues to enlist more and more food producers in its humane monitoring and labeling program, which was the first in the United States and is, by far, the fastest growing and most comprehensive.  The program is science-based and solutions-oriented, and American Humane works cooperatively with industry to arrive at humane, compassionate methods and practices for food-animal growing and production.

DENVER (March 10, 2009) – Unveiling yet another innovative industry first, the American Humane Certified™ farm animal welfare program today announced it will launch an online Humane Care Training Program for food producers to use in educating employees, growers and contractors who handle animals. The training will complement and expand American Humane Certified’s existing national program of auditing and certifying the humane handling of animals raised for food.

Eight Additional Producers Recently Certified by American Humane Association

DENVER, Jan. 15, 2009 – The American Humane Association announced today that up to two-thirds of all cage-free eggs being produced in the U.S. now come from producers that have earned the American Humane Certified™ label – a symbol of the nation’s premier animal-welfare certification program.

Feel good about eating veal

DENVER – Dec. 4, 2008 -- The American Humane Certified farm animal program announced that Delimax, one of North America’s premier integrated veal producers, has been certified under the program using American Humane’s new three-tiered auditing system. The certification applies to Delimax grain-fed veal, which is processed, sold and marketed by its partner, Montpak International.

American Humane Certified is America’s first animal-welfare program dedicated to the humane treatment of farm animals. It is the fastest growing, third-party independent animal-welfare label program in the U.S. Delimax is the first veal producer and the first Canadian company to be certified by American Humane, a 131-year-old organization that has helped lead the humane movement in the U.S.

DENVER – American Humane Certified producers, partners and scientific advisors gathered at the American Humane Association in Englewood, Colo., last week for the first technology meeting to provide feedback on the online reporting and video monitoring portions of its new auditing process.

American Humane Certified, the nation’s original humane food label, is conducting the first round of beta-testing of its new three-tiered auditing system, which includes annual on site auditing, online reporting and 24/7 live video monitoring. American Humane Certified developed the multi level system to monitor animal welfare, in real-time in order to take immediate action, when necessary, to correct welfare issues. The system also provides producers with tools for continuous improvement of their operations and ways to manage risk.

DENVER – Oct. 22, 2008 – The American Humane Association has commissioned an international study to research a range of aviary group-housing systems and to evaluate the impact of those systems on the health, welfare and egg production of laying hens. The study will be led by Dr. Inma Estevez, Professor of Animal and Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland, currently on leave of absence.  Dr. Estevez is working at the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (Neiker-Tecnalia) in Spain.

The study is being undertaken on behalf of the American Humane Certified™ program, which is America’s first and foremost monitoring and labeling program for humanely raised food products.

The nonprofit organization and its producers are partnering with three of the town’s top chefs, to show Denver just how tasty it can be to eat humanely raised

DENVER, Oct. 3, 2008 – Animal-loving omnivores are finding a growing number of delicious options to meet their dietary needs, by seeking out the American Humane Certified seal on meat, eggs and dairy products.

On Oct. 9, invited guests in Denver will have a chance to experience an exceptionally fine dining experience featuring all humanely raised products. The dinner, created by three of Denver’s top chefs,  Elise Wiggins of Panzano, Tyler Wiard of Elway’s and Troy Guard, who will open TAG early next year, will feature a palate-pleasing menu that will be enhanced by a selection of fine wines.

DENVER, Oct. 3, 2008 – American Humane Certified™ will exhibit at the Natural Products Expo East in Boston, Oct. 16 -18, to showcase the fastest-growing animal welfare label for food producers. The program provides independent certification of the humane treatment and care of farm animals.

Natural Products Expo East, held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, is the largest trade show of its kind on the East Coast, featuring more than 25,000 natural, organic and healthy products. American Humane Certified will be joined by representatives of some of its producers who distribute on the East Coast, such as Springer Mountain Farms and Old Chatham Sheepherding Company. All attendees of the Expo are invited to visit American Humane Certified at Booth #2405 to learn about the audit process that verifies humane farm animal care. The American Humane Certified program is not only good for animals, but also good for business and good for people.

American Humane Certified’s Three-Tier Audit System of Video Monitoring, Online Reporting and On-Site Inspection Improves Industry Transparency

DENVER, Sept. 29, 2008 – American Humane Certified™ announced today that GCB Foods LLC, a family owned, cage-free egg production company in Nashville, N.C., has been Certified with the program, and is also the first of American Humane Certified’s many existing food producers in the U.S. to operate under American Humane Certified’s new, three-tiered auditing system. The system allows American Humane to monitor animal welfare at the facility remotely through real-time video monitoring in addition to performing annual on-site audits and observing the company’s production data on an ongoing basis through a proprietary online reporting system.

GCB Foods specializes in custom certified cage-free egg production on family owned and managed farms. The company is owned by Bob Pike, who has nearly three decades of experience in egg production, processing and marketing.

DENVER, Sept. 9, 2008 – The Milk and Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Center (DQA) in Stratford, Iowa, which represents more than 9,000 dairies, and the American Humane Certified™ farm animal welfare program have agreed that DQA will recognize American Humane Certified dairies in good standing with DQA as also meeting the DQA FIVE-STAR dairy welfare standards. American Humane Certified is a program of the American Humane Association, the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals.

TheHumaneTouch.org Is the Newest Resource to Find Humanely Raised Food

DENVER, Aug. 26, 2008 – TheHumaneTouch.org website is American Humane Certified’s™ latest tool for consumers to learn more about the humane treatment of farm animals used to produce food. Launched on Aug. 14, the site is a resource for consumers, producers, retailers and the food service industry to learn more about animal welfare standards.

American Humane Certified is a voluntary, fee-based service available to agricultural producers of protein products. The program provides independent, third-party audited verification that the care and handling of animals of enrolled farms meet the strict animal welfare standards set forth by American Humane Certified. Producers who meet the standards may use the American Humane Certified label on their products.

DENVER, August 14, 2008 -- HS3 Technologies, Inc.

(OTC BB: HSTH.OB - News), a world-wide provider of innovative security and video monitoring solutions, today announces the signing of an agreement with the 131 year old American Humane Association (AHA).

Under AHA’s  American Humane Certified™ (“AHC”), AHA and HS3 Technologies plan to deploy and fully engage in the development of a Video Monitoring System (“VMS”) that can expand the observations and augment the compliance with AHC standards for the humane care of farm animals.  HS3 Technologies will conduct beta testing thru the installation and integration of five VMS in production facilities  and the transportation of animals that reflect the animal species and sub groups that AHC certifies.  Upon successful completion of the beta testing, AHA , the leading humane certification organization in the United States, will have a system that can provide expanded, auditable observations that expands its current system of audits for humane farm animal handling. HS3’s technologies and integrated development of its proprietary technology (or real-time analytical technology tools) will expand the observation frequency and provide crosschecks to the behavior of animals in a variety of situations that may or may not cause improper care to occur. The parties think this expanded solution can be one of the most successful ways of identifying an issue and provide immediate corrective action by the parties involved. It is the focus of these beta projects to give greater insight and develop a plan of integration that over the next few years will become a standard part of the American Humane Certified compliance program.  The program eventually will encompass over 15,000 locations in North America.

Surviving Pigs Arriving at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter Today

(Watkins Glen, NY – 10 July 2008) After nearly three weeks on the ground undertaking an unprecedented disaster response effort, animal protection groups are bringing the last of the 69 pigs rescued from the floods in the Midwest to their new home. This evening, these remaining 53 pigs pulled from areas in and around the “Big Ditch” levee in Oakville, Iowa will find safe haven at Farm Sanctuary’s Watkins Glen, New York shelter. This rescue was facilitated by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, American Humane Association, Farm Sanctuary and Animal Rescue League of Boston.

The Old Chatham Sheepherding Company of Old Chatham, N.Y., has been certified by the American Humane Association’s farm animal-welfare program. American Humane Certified is the nation’s original farm animal welfare label.

Old Chatham is the long-time dream of Tom Clark, who won a county fair blue ribbon with three sheep when he was 11 years old. He went on to a business career, but always wanted to have his own sheep operation. Eventually, Clark, with his wife, Nancy, bought farmland in the mid-1990s.

Heartland Meats Inc. of Mendota, IL, has been certified by the American Humane Association’s farm animal-welfare program. American Humane Certified is the nation’s original farm animal welfare label.

Heartland, owned by Patricia and John Sondgeroth, raises Piedmontese cattle in open lots. The Piedmontese breed originates in the Piedmont region in Italy, and is renowned for its tenderness. The farm also raises its own feed and owns a federally inspected processing plant. John is the fourth generation to operate the family farm.