NSF International, a global public health organization, recently certified Culver Duck Farms Inc., to the Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS). This certification demonstrates Culver Duck’s commitment to the highest levels of animal welfare and down traceability.

“Achieving NSF International certification to the Global Traceable Down Standard was pivotal for Culver Duck as we continuously strive to improve the welfare of our animals,” said Sean Smith, Director of Compliance and Project Development at Culver Duck Farms, Inc. “We recognize our ethical obligations and moral responsibilities to the animals under our care and view NSF International’s Global TDS as a way to further demonstrate that commitment.”

NSF International’s Global TDS is an industry-wide standard for farms, brands and manufacturers that are committed to more responsibly-produced down. Covering both industrialized supply chains in the food sector and collector-based supply chains involved with family farms, the standard defines animal welfare and traceability requirements from parent farm to factory.

“Culver Duck came to us with a sincere desire to improve conditions for its animals and make changes using the Global TDS requirements as a roadmap,” said Joshua Brugeman, Business Unit Manager for Responsible Sourcing at NSF International. “We applaud Culver Duck for achieving this certification and we hope others in the industry will learn from its journey.”

To earn Global TDS certification, farms must adhere to rigorous certification requirements and participate in on-site audits of:

• Animal welfare practices, including strict prohibitions on force feeding and live plucking
• Traceability management systems, showing an unbroken chain of custody of the verified down
• Education and outreach throughout each level of the supply chain

To maintain Global TDS certification, farms must continually comply with certification requirements, participate in annual on-site audits and respond to corrective actions in a timely manner.

Source: NSF International