New Anthoney’s Group signs pledge to combat antimicrobial resistance

New Anthoney’s Group MD Emil Stanley presents the pledge for no-antibiotics to Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palika Fernando 

Reassuring its commitment toward a healthier nation and advocating for an antibiotic-free poultry industry in Sri Lanka, New Anthoney’s Group has signed an official pledge in view of the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) held from November 18-24. 

The event took place at the group’s Hanwella-based HQ on November 19, with the participation of some of its key customers, partners, health-sector professionals, the board and staffs. The group’s Managing Director Emil Stanley gave an opening speech, followed by an insightful series of presentations, including Dr. Kishani Dinapala as key resource person representing WHO Sri Lanka, on the importance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This comes as part of a series of WAAW-focused activities by New Anthoney’s Group, aiming to inspire collective action against AMR and promote the ‘One Health’ approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health practices.

New Anthoney’s, one of the leaders well reputed for its ethical and sustainable practices, has been pursuing antibiotic-free policy for over five years and takes great pride in being the only chicken producer in the country in doing so. New Anthoney’s pledge towards this has always been to continuously and consistently have an antibiotic-free production and this among various other efforts has earned a distinctive reputation of being the safest chicken producer in Sri Lanka.

The company has long stood for fighting AMR throughout its entire operations, prioritising an all-natural poultry production, adhering to stringent biosecurity and animal welfare practices that meet the standards of the National Chicken Council, USA. 

New Anthoney’s ‘Green Commandments’ highlights a dedication to sustainability across all stages, from farm-to-fork, with strict adherence to antibiotic-free practices, ensuring consumers receive high-quality, safe poultry products. The use of biodegradable packaging to reduce waste and minimise impact on ecosystems, monitor and manage greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with ISO standards contributing to lower carbon footprints, sourcing sustainable U.S. Soy are a few of its many efforts towards this. 

Assured antibiotic-free, its range of products contribute to addressing protein malnutrition in Sri Lanka, providing a high-nutrient food source to communities across the country. By pledging to WAAW’s ‘Educate. Advocate. Act now’ theme, the group also held various other activities such as employee engagement, a workshop at the University of Peradeniya and an awareness session at a local school where it also donated a water purification system. 

As a leader in sustainable poultry production, New Anthoney’s Group stands out for its pioneering achievements, including being the FSSC 22000 certification, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Verification Statement from Control Union and various other certifications such as GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000 and halal certifications. Its ambitious plans of accelerating growth across its product offerings and vertical integration are already seeing fruit, with a mission to drive positive change and enhance the quality of life in Sri Lanka.