Is there a recall? What we know

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals reposted a 20-year-old video on Instagram last week accusing Butterball employees of sexually abusing turkeys — and it’s causing a stir online.

“Do you know what happened to your Butterball turkey before they were killed?” PETA wrote in the description of a video sent to it Instagram on Friday.

In the video, a person whose identity is unknown accuses Butterball workers of sexually abusing the animals that Butterball slaughtered and sold to the public.

Comments on the post were quick to share concern for the turkeys. “What can be done about this?” replied one follower.

The group apparently posted the video ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, but Butterball told USA TODAY on Tuesday that the video is from 2006.

USA TODAY has also reached out to PETA for more information.

PETA and Thanksgiving: Biden would pardon turkeys, but PETA says it’s a “lousy” tradition

Butterball reacts to video from 2006

Butterball, famous for selling turkey products around the world, said the video is “not current” and “was taken before Butterball became a private company and before our commitment and certification through American Humane.”

“Animal care and welfare is central to who we are as a company, and we are committed to the ethical and responsible care of our flocks,” a Butterball spokesperson said in a statement sent to USA TODAY in response to the post. .

“Eleven years ago, Butterball was the first, and remains the only, turkey company to become American Humane certified,” the spokesperson said. “This means we have annual third-party audits to ensure compliance with our 200+ science-based turkey care best practice standards that far exceed industry best practices.

Some followers online accused PETA of spreading misinformation.

Are Butterball turkeys recalled?

The company also responded to rumors circulating about a Butterball turkey recall, saying there are currently no recalls in place.

USA TODAY’s recall database shows no current recalls for Butterball turkeys.

PETA to Confront Thanksgiving Customers

PETA has long protested the slaughter and consumption of animals.

On Wednesday, the group plans to confront shoppers at Janssen’s Market, a grocery store in Wilmington, Delaware, with their “Hell on wheels” truck, a “life-size, hyper-realistic turkey transport truck covered with images of the birds stuffed into crates on their way to slaughter,” according to a press release.

The “Hell on Wheels” tour will visit 30 states. The organization hopes seeing the truck will prevent customers from buying a Thanksgiving turkey the day before Thanksgiving.

“Turkeys are devoted parents who purr to their chicks and whose skin changes color to express their emotions, but in the meat industry they are treated as insensitive objects, stuffed into filthy sheds and slaughtered, often while they are still conscious,” said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk in the announcement. “PETA’s ‘Hell on Wheels’ truck is an appeal to Thanksgiving customers to give the birds a break and stop the annual cycle of cruelty by choosing vegan this Thanksgiving and more.”

A vegan Thanksgiving?

While PETA’s claims are reportedly dated, those interested in not eating poultry this year or choosing to go vegan have other options.

About 29% of Americans plan to have plant-based options at their Thanksgiving table, reported SC Timespart of the USA TODAY Network.

Those looking for a vegan alternative to turkey can purchase a holiday roast from the company Two furky.

People can also find recipes from influencers online, such as Caitlin Shoemaker, who posts plant-based recipes such as mushroom filling or creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic miso compound butter on her Instagram.

Contributors: Teagan KingSt. Cloud Times

Julia is a popular reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her at LinkedInfollow her further X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]