Safeway Inc. announced that it will begin formulating plans to have a gestation stall-free supply chain.

Gestation stalls have been criticized in recent years due to animal welfare concerns, and Safeway has been working to address the issue. Over the last several years, the company has substantially increased the quantity of pork it buys from producers that have made commitments to decreasing gestation stalls in their breeding facilities.

"It is Safeway's goal to have a gestation stall-free supply chain," said Safeway vice president of public affairs Brian Dowling. "With that in mind, the company is formulating plans to determine how it can reach that goal.

"Our company supports the efforts of our suppliers who have committed to reductions in their use of gestation stalls," added Dowling.

Source: Safeway Inc.