Wendy's changes treatment of chicken and pigs

DUBLIN, Ohio - Fast-food chain Wendy's Co. is changing the way it treats chickens and pigs used in its food in an effort to be more humane.

The company's animal welfare council announced Friday that one of its chicken suppliers has started using a low-atmospheric pressure system that renders the chickens unconscious before the birds are handled by plant workers. The process is criticized by some animal welfare groups, but replaces the industry standard practice of stunning chickens with electricity.

Wendy's is also working with its U.S. and Canadian pork suppliers to eliminate the use of sow gestation stalls over time. Animal rights groups say the tightly-packed stalls are inhumane and other fast-food chains have also reduced their use of them.

The Dublin, Ohio-based company operates more than 6,500 restaurants around the globe.