BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Applegate natural and organic meat brand, a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corp., announced that its hot dogs received a high level of animal welfare with the Global Animal Partnership (GAP), an organization focused on providing consumers with the opportunity to purchase meat from animals raised humanely.

“These products have earned the GAP Animal Welfare Certified label, which means that 100-plus farm animal welfare standards were met and audited on every farm supplying these ingredients,” said Anne Malleau, GAP executive director. “GAP applauds Applegate's continued efforts to advocate for meaningful animal welfare claims, helping raise awareness and creating sustainable change for animals.”

The GAP logo will appear on The Great Organic Uncured Beef Hot Dog at Whole Foods Market. Other products with the label in retailers nationwide include The Great Organic Uncured Turkey Hot Dog, The Great Organic Chicken Hot Dog and the Applegate Naturals Natural Uncured Turkey Hot Dog.

“Although all of our food — from bacon to burgers and yes, hot dogs — is sourced from farms third-party certified for higher animal welfare, this is the first time consumers will see the GAP seal on our hot dogs in grocery stores nationwide,” said Nicole Glenn, Applegate vice president of marketing. “With more and more people questioning where their meat comes from and how it's raised, carrying the GAP certification helps us bring full transparency and confidence about our commitment to animal welfare right on pack.”

Along with the GAP certification, Applegate also features no antibiotics ever, no artificial ingredients, and no chemical nitrites or nitrates in its effort to serve consumers trying to avoid those ingredients.