#USA #New York #Brand Trust #cage-free eggs #Humane League

Major Brands Under Scrutiny for Cage-Free Egg Commitments

In a comprehensive report released by The Humane League, the commitment of U.S. food manufacturers towards sourcing cage-free eggs has come under the spotlight. This report, the first of its kind, evaluates the promises made by major brands and measures their adherence to these commitments. While companies like Danone, Hershey, and Campbell's have celebrated milestones in achieving 100% cage-free egg sourcing, others, notably Land O'Lakes and Flowers Foods, have failed to meet the pledges they made almost a decade ago.

According to the findings, the shift towards cage-free eggs is becoming an industry standard rather than just a goal. As consumer awareness continues to rise, the report emphasizes that many U.S. adults, about 85%, consider the confinement of hens in cages to be unacceptable. Moreover, 81% of consumers now believe that corporate sustainability should encompass animal welfare and health. Compelling industry trends reveal that products with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) claims are experiencing a significant uptick, showing a cumulative growth of 28% over five years, while those lacking these attributes grew by only 20%.

Liz Fergus, the Senior Corporate Relations Manager for The Humane League, commented, "The cage-free transition is no longer aspirational; it has become an industry reality. Our Hall of Fame companies demonstrate that adhering to cage-free commitments is both feasible and practical. Conversely, the companies that have failed to act—labeled in our Hall of Shame—have enjoyed nearly a decade to move away from the use of cages. With the supply of cage-free eggs continually increasing, it's time for these manufacturers to fulfill their commitments."

Industry Dynamics: Major Players and Their Commitments

Food manufacturers are responsible for the purchase of billions of eggs annually, ranking them as one of the largest buyers of eggs in the country. Remarkably, nearly half of the U.S. egg-laying flock is now housed in cage-free environments, and producers are actively investing in cage-free housing. Both Conagra Brands and PepsiCo have taken commendable steps to fulfill or progress towards their cage-free commitments through strategic sourcing changes, product reformulations, and egg reduction strategies.

The report has highlighted several companies that have made significant progress:

• - Hershey Company: achieved 100% cage-free status since 2022.
• - Danone: fulfilled its commitment to cage-free sourcing since 2020.
• - Hain Celestial: embraced 100% cage-free sourcing since 2021.
• - Campbell's Company: achieved full compliance as of 2025.

On the Other Side of the Spectrum

Conversely, the report sheds light on brands that have either quietly withdrawn their commitments or have not made visible efforts to uphold their promises.

• - Ruiz Foods: unclear policy scope with missed deadlines.
• - HP Hood: has removed commitment reports.
• - Land O'Lakes: lacks reporting and has missed deadlines.
• - Flowers Foods: also removed reporting and missed the 2025 deadline.

This latest evaluation represents the second installment in The Humane League's annual Eggsposé series, assessing the cage-free commitments of large food corporations. Full report details, including company ratings and broader industry analysis, are available at The Humane League's website, EndCages.com.

About The Humane League

Founded in 2005, The Humane League is dedicated to animal protection, specifically aiming to terminate the abuse of animals in food production. Over the years, the organization has garnered significant improvements in animal welfare standards across a variety of food service sectors, influencing the lives of billions of farm animals. They continue to advocate for farmers to adhere to proper animal welfare commitments and practice responsible sourcing strategies in food production.

In conclusion, as consumer expectations become increasingly robust regarding ethical sourcing practices, the onus now lies on the remaining food manufacturers to honor their decade-old commitments. As solutions emerge and the feasibility of transitioning to cage-free sourcing strengthens, the industry is poised for a more responsible future in egg production—one that consumers can trust.