Sensient Technologies Corporation Bans Deadly Animal Tests After PETA Appeal

Milwaukee-Based Flavor, Fragrance, and Food-Color Manufacturer Enacts Policy Against Force-Feeding, Dissecting Animals in Tests for Marketing

For Immediate Release:
December 19, 2018

Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382

Following discussions with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Milwaukee-based Sensient Technologies Corporation—a leading global manufacturer of flavors and fragrances and the world’s largest manufacturer of certified food colors—instituted a new policy banning all experiments on animals unless required by law.

Earlier this month, the company wrote the following to PETA’s science adviser: “Sensient’s policy is to not test our products or raw materials on animals, or to contract with third parties to do so, except when such testing is required by law.”

Prior to adopting this new policy, Sensient contributed to tests in which 64 mice were injected with one chemical and fed another that together induced colitis and colorectal cancer. The animals were also force-fed a food additive and then killed and dissected.

“Sensient did the right thing in ditching cruel and wasteful animal experiments,” says PETA Vice President Shalin Gala. “It’s a business-savvy and humane move to switch to modern, non-animal research methods that provide human-relevant results.”

This year alone, 24 major food and beverage companies around the world—including food giant General Mills and leading beverage company Suntory Holdings—ended animal tests not required by law following talks with PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on.” The group’s correspondence with Sensient is available upon request.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.