If you’re a fan of In-N-Out Burger, you may have wondered where the chain gets its beef.
After all, the company has always touted its commitment to using fresh, additive-free beef in its burgers. But what about the sourcing practices behind that beef?
Is it ethically raised and sustainable?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at In-N-Out’s beef supply chain and explore the company’s policies on antibiotics, animal welfare, and environmental impact.
Get ready to sink your teeth into some juicy information!
Where Does In N Out Get Its Beef?
In-N-Out Burger sources the majority of its beef from California’s largest industrial cattle farm, Harris Ranch Beef Company. While this may raise concerns about the ethical standards of the beef, In-N-Out has always been committed to using fresh, additive-free beef in its burgers. However, the company has received criticism for its policies on antibiotics in beef.
In 2018, a report ranked 25 different burger chains on their policies relating to antibiotic use in their beef. In-N-Out received a failing grade for not following through with a time-bound commitment to source beef raised without medically important antibiotics. This lack of change earned them the failing grade, while Shake Shack and BurgerFi were the only chains to receive “A” grades for “sourcing beef raised without antibiotics.”
Despite this failing grade, In-N-Out has always been committed to using fresh, additive-free beef in its burgers. The company utilizes a vertical integration model for its raw ingredients, procuring and manufacturing much of its food supplies in-house. The company does not utilize freezers in its operations, shipping food daily to its stores from its facilities.
In-N-Out’s Beef Sourcing Practices: A Closer Look
In-N-Out’s beef sourcing practices have been a topic of discussion among consumers and critics alike. The company sources the majority of its beef from Harris Ranch Beef Company, which is California’s largest industrial cattle farm. While it is unclear whether the cows used for In-N-Out’s beef are grass-fed or not, the company has always maintained that it uses fresh, additive-free beef in its burgers.
To ensure quality control over its supply chain, In-N-Out sources all of its own beef and individually inspects every chuck that it receives. The company employs in-house butchers to break down and grind its meat, and forms patties in-house, maintaining absolute control over the patty-making process. In fact, In-N-Out has three patty-making facilities located in Northern California, Southern California, and Texas.
Despite this level of control over its supply chain, In-N-Out has faced criticism for its policies on antibiotics in beef. In 2018, a report ranked 25 different burger chains on their policies relating to antibiotic use in their beef. In-N-Out received a failing grade for not following through with a time-bound commitment to source beef raised without medically important antibiotics. This lack of change earned them the failing grade, while Shake Shack and BurgerFi were the only chains to receive “A” grades for “sourcing beef raised without antibiotics.”
Antibiotic Policies: How In-N-Out Ensures Freshness And Safety
In-N-Out has stated that it is committed to using beef that is not raised with antibiotics important to human medicine. The company has asked its suppliers to accelerate their progress towards establishing antibiotic alternatives. This commitment is in response to public interest groups that have asked the company to help protect the health of consumers by switching to beef raised with antibiotics. In-N-Out has also stated that it will no longer buy meat involving antibiotics designed for humans, but it is unclear whether this means it will use meat that has never been treated with the drugs, or continue to allow producers to treat sick animals.
The use of antibiotics in beef is a controversial issue, as it can lead to antibiotic resistance in humans. In-N-Out’s policies on antibiotics are aimed at ensuring the safety and freshness of its beef. The company works closely with its suppliers to ensure they follow best practices by the Food and Drug Administration and the American Veterinary Medical Association. These efforts help ensure optimal animal health and welfare, preserve medically important antibiotics for human use, and ensure safe, affordable and abundant food.
Animal Welfare: How In-N-Out Supports Ethical Farming Practices
In-N-Out Burger has always been committed to ethical farming practices and animal welfare. While the majority of its beef comes from Harris Ranch Beef Company, which is an industrial cattle farm, In-N-Out has taken steps to ensure that the animals used for their burgers are treated humanely.
In 2012, a federal inspection temporarily shut down Harris Ranch Beef Company for “egregious, inhumane handling and treatment of livestock.” In response, In-N-Out issued a statement saying that they were “committed to the welfare of the animals that provide our high-quality beef.” The company also stated that they would be conducting their own inspections of the facility to ensure that the animals were being treated properly.
In addition to this, In-N-Out has made efforts to source beef from farms that do not use antibiotics regularly. In 2016, the company announced that it was working with its suppliers to eliminate the use of antibiotics in its beef. This move was in response to a letter from a coalition of over 50 environmental, animal welfare, and consumer groups urging the chain to stop using beef from farms that use antibiotics regularly.
While In-N-Out has not made a pledge to source humanely-treated meat, the company’s commitment to ethical farming practices and animal welfare is evident. In-N-Out maintains control over its supply chain, ensuring that it receives the highest quality items. The company sources all of its own beef and individually inspects every chuck that it receives. In-N-Out also employs in-house butchers to break down and grind its meat, maintaining absolute control over the patty-making process.
Environmental Impact: How In-N-Out Reduces Its Carbon Footprint
In-N-Out Burger has been criticized for its policies on antibiotics in beef, but the company has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint. Beef production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and In-N-Out has made efforts to address this issue. The company sources its beef from Harris Ranch Beef Company, which is located in California’s Central Valley. This means that the beef does not have to travel as far to reach In-N-Out’s restaurants, reducing transportation emissions.
In addition, In-N-Out’s supply chain for beef is more efficient than other fast food chains. According to a report by the National Resources Defense Council, In-N-Out’s beef production process produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions per pound of beef than its competitors. This is due in part to the fact that In-N-Out uses a vertical integration model for its raw ingredients, which means that it procures and manufactures much of its food supplies in-house. This reduces transportation emissions and ensures that the company has more control over the quality of its ingredients.
Furthermore, In-N-Out has also made commitments to reduce its environmental impact in other areas. For example, the company has committed to using sustainable packaging materials and has implemented recycling programs in many of its restaurants. While there is room for improvement in terms of antibiotic use in beef, In-N-Out’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are commendable.
The Future Of In-N-Out’s Beef Supply Chain: What’s Next For The Chain’s Commitment To Sustainability
In February 2016, In-N-Out Burger made a commitment to eliminate routine antibiotic use from its beef supply. However, more than a year later, the company has yet to provide public information on its progress despite repeated requests from thousands of coalition supporters. This has led to public interest, environmental, food safety, and consumer groups representing millions of consumers sending a letter calling on In-N-Out Burger to make good on its promise.
As the beef industry works on strategies to enhance the sustainability of all aspects of the beef supply chain, In-N-Out has an opportunity to make important progress in areas where the industry and federal government continue to lag. Until strong federal regulations prohibit the routine use of antibiotics and other drugs in all animals raised for food, In-N-Out can help protect human health, animal welfare, and the environment by following through on its commitment for its beef supply.
In-N-Out’s commitment to sustainability is not just limited to antibiotics. The company has always been committed to using fresh, additive-free beef in its burgers and utilizes a vertical integration model for its raw ingredients, procuring and manufacturing much of its food supplies in-house. The company does not utilize freezers in its operations, shipping food daily to its stores from its facilities.
To maintain their reputation as a highly regarded chain that serves better food than their competitors, In-N-Out needs to live up to their promise and stop lagging behind other fast food companies that have responsibly decided not to serve meat raised with routine antibiotics or growth hormones. The future of In-N-Out’s beef supply chain lies in their ability to follow through on their commitment to sustainability and provide transparency towards consumers. By doing so, they can help consumers make more informed decisions about the food products they consume.
