#United States #New York #animal welfare #cage-free eggs #Open Wing Alliance

Open Wing Alliance's Fair and Fowl 2025 Report Evaluates Corporate Commitments

On October 14, 2025, the Open Wing Alliance (OWA), a notable coalition of 84 animal protection groups across 72 countries, unveiled the Fair and Fowl 2025 Cage-Free Egg Report. This annual publication offers a comprehensive review of corporate commitments towards cage-free eggs across five critical sectors: hospitality, manufacturing, restaurants, food service, and retail. The report identifies leaders, dubbed the "Early Birds," who have adhered to their commitments and contrasts them with the "Bad Eggs"—companies that continue to support the confinement systems despite their promises for a transition to cage-free.

According to the report, a remarkable 92% of corporations with public cage-free egg commitments and deadlines set for 2024 or earlier have successfully met their goals. This impressive statistic underscores the growing acceptance of cage-free practices as the baseline standard in the industry, marking a pivotal point for animal welfare initiatives worldwide. Many stakeholders attribute this shift to heightened consumer expectations and a push for greater transparency in corporate actions.

Hannah Surowinski, Senior Associate Director of Global Corporate Relations at The Humane League, expressed optimism about the movement. She stated, “The cage-free movement continues to gain global momentum, yet stark contrasts remain between companies honoring their commitments and those still stalling. Transparency is no longer optional—it's the foundation of consumer trust.” She emphasized that with many companies taking the initiative to phase out cages, those lagging behind are at risk of severe reputational damage.

The Fair and Fowl report does not merely celebrate progress but also rings alarm bells for those companies falling short of expectations. The following firms have been identified as the worst performers in their respective sectors:

• - Radisson Hotels (Hospitality)
• - Puratos (Manufacturers)
• - Alsea (Restaurants)
• - Couche-Tard (Retailers)
• - Newrest (Food Service)

These companies have failed to provide transparency about their cage-free egg commitments, ignoring outreach efforts from OWA and disregarding their pledges to customers.

Conversely, the report highlights shining examples of leadership and ethical business practices. The 2025 Spotlight Leaders recognized for their proactive approach include:

• - Capella Hotels and Resorts (Hospitality)
• - Groupe Pasquier (Manufacturers)
• - The Cheesecake Factory (Restaurants)
• - Lagardère Travel Retail (Retailers)
• - Compass Group (Food Service)

Despite the advancements in corporate commitments, the situation for over four billion hens worldwide remains dire, as many continue to endure confinement in cages that impede natural behavior and cause significant stress and health issues. Advocates for animal welfare point to countries like Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, which have already banned these systems. In the United States, ten states, including California, Massachusetts, and Michigan, have enacted reforms to eliminate the sale and production of eggs from caged hens, contributing to a broader movement aimed at reforming animal welfare standards.

To access the full details and recommendations from the Fair and Fowl Global Report, visit the Open Wing Alliance's website at OpenWingAlliance.org. This report is a clarion call not only for consumers to make informed choices but also for companies to enhance their corporate responsibility practices in the realm of animal welfare.

About the Open Wing Alliance

Founded in 2016 by The Humane League, the Open Wing Alliance is a global coalition committed to ending the abuse of chickens and improving animal welfare standards globally, having secured over 3,000 corporate commitments to higher animal welfare policies.

For further inquiries, you may contact Karen Hirsch, Sr. Public Relations Manager, at (678) 469-8675 or via email at [email protected]

This initiative underscores the vital importance of corporate accountability and the need for ongoing advocacy in the journey towards a more humane treatment of animals in the food industry.