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By Waylon Cunningham

March 26 (Reuters) - A food safety and animal welfare nonprofit filed suit against Panera Bread last week based on Reuters reporting, claiming the company misled consumers about Panera's meat products.

Food Animal Concerns Trust filed suit against the fast casual chain on March 20 in a local court in Washington D.C., citing Reuters reporting in 2024 on internal company documents about how the company loosened ingredient standards to save an estimated $21 million ahead of a planned IPO. 

The lawsuit claims Panera Bread positioned itself as a leader on antibiotic-free ad humane sourcing for years before withdrawing those policies while continuing to market itself on those grounds. The lawsuit cites among others Panera's decade-old commitment to eventually use chickens from suppliers that provide sufficient living space to the livestock. Panera reported last year that none of its chicken supply came from suppliers that meet the company's standard. 

Panera Bread's chief corporate affairs officer Brooke Buchanan said in a statement: "We take animal welfare seriously at Panera and our beliefs on animal health and welfare are clearly stated on our website." 

Based near St. Louis, Panera has more than 2,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. It was acquired and taken private in 2017 for $7.5 billion by Luxembourg-headquartered private equity firm JAB Holdings. In late 2023, the company filed for an initial public offering, though it remains private.