PETA accuses Butterball of producing sexually abused turkeys

A PETA investigator has raised the alarm over alleged animal cruelty inside a Butterball turkey plant, claiming to have witnessed shocking acts of cruelty.

In a video posted on Instagram, the investigator, who remains anonymous, describes his undercover experience at the facility. He claims to have seen workers sexually assaulting turkeys before they were slaughtered.

The investigator describes incidents in which workers allegedly humped turkeys with chains and inserted fingers into the birds’ cloacae, which he described as their “vaginas,” while the production line was halted. Footage from the facility shows one worker roughly handling a turkey, while another appears to be seen kicking a bird, saying: “I kicked the hell out of the morf*cker.” Another image shows a worker apparently sitting on a turkey.

While these new allegations are disturbing, this isn’t the first time Butterball has faced such allegations. In 2017, PETA accused workers at a Butterball slaughterhouse in Ozark, Arkansas of violently abusing turkeys, including kicking and throwing the birds. The organization also claimed that employees had inserted their fingers into female turkeys, echoing recent allegations.

The investigator hopes this new video will shed light on the harsh realities of factory farming and make people reconsider consuming turkey, especially with Thanksgiving approaching. “If just one person watches this video and stops eating birds, it will be worth it,” he said at the end of the video.

The investigator highlights these disturbing acts of cruelty in the video in hopes of showing consumers the harsh reality behind the products they buy. He emphasized that most people are unaware of the abuse that occurs before turkeys are packed and sold. “These dark plants are kept off the main roads and probably not on TV,” he added. “I went to this Butterball House of Horrors to show people what the company will never do.”

Butterball is a well-known brand that produces turkey and other poultry products, operated by Butterball LLC. The company manufactures food both domestically in the US and internationally, with a focus on turkey, cured deli meats, raw roasts and specialties such as soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees.

Originally a joint venture between Smithfield Foods and Maxwell Farms Inc. (a subsidiary of Goldsboro Milling Co.), Seaboard Corporation purchased Smithfield’s stake in Butterball in 2010. The company produces over a billion pounds of turkey annually. Although the Butterball brand has been established since 1940, Butterball LLC was officially established in 2006.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)’s ongoing efforts aim to raise awareness of animal cruelty in the food industry in hopes of inspiring a shift towards more ethical practices. As more consumers become aware of the hidden realities behind factory farming, PETA hopes that widespread outrage will drive change in the food industry.