#United States #Miami #Subway #The Humane League #cage-free eggs

The Humane League's Urgent Call to Action for Subway

In a significant push for animal welfare, The Humane League has initiated a nationwide campaign advocating for Subway to uphold its decade-long commitment to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs by the end of 2025. This appeal comes nearly a decade after Subway made its initial pledge, which has now been met with widespread consumer concern due to the company's silence on progress.

A Broken Promise

In 2015, the fast-food giant promised that by 2025, all eggs served at its locations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico would be cage-free. However, as of the last reported data in 2020, only around 27% of Subway's egg supply was cage-free. Since then, the corporation has not offered any updates or transparency regarding its roadmap to meet this commitment, despite claims on its website suggesting that the company is 'on track' with this initiative.

The Humane League recently revealed Subway's lack of accountability when it was highlighted in their annual report, "Cage-Free Eggsposé," which evaluates the transition of major food brands towards cage-free egg sourcing. Compared to its competitors—like McDonald's and Starbucks—that have either kept their promises or are actively updating the public on their progress, Subway's inaction is notable and concerning.

Consumer Pressure Builds

Anna Peer, Senior Campaigns Lead for The Humane League, poignantly remarked, "Subway made a promise to its customers, its franchisees, and to the nearly 300,000 egg-laying hens in its supply chain. That promise is now in jeopardy, and the lack of transparency is unacceptable for a company of this size." The slow response from Subway to implement cage-free practices stands in stark contrast to the broader industry, where companies like KFC, Taco Bell, and Tim Hortons have successfully transitioned or are showing tangible progress towards their cage-free commitments.

As battery cages continue to inflict extreme suffering on hens, they also pose potential public health risks. Recent USDA data indicates that in 2025, 64% of the 30 million birds lost to avian flu were kept in cages—a troubling statistic that adds urgency to the campaign. Despite Subway's claims of being on track, the U.S. egg industry reports no significant supply shortages, with nearly 70% of producers adopting cage-free housing in 2024.

Mobilization and Actions

Faced with Subway's apparent stall in progress, The Humane League has ramped up its campaign. Targeted actions are being launched in key cities, particularly around Subway's headquarters in Miami, Florida, accompanied by nationwide protests and digital campaigns that amplify the demand for change. A controversial poster campaign featuring Subway's Interim CEO, Carrie Walsh, aims to heighten public awareness and pressure the company to act.

The campaign marks an ongoing effort by The Humane League to drive meaningful change for farm animals and restore assurances to consumers about the food they are purchasing. Subway is being urged to respond positively to calls for transparency and to actively engage in a transition to cage-free sourcing. Consumers interested in supporting this campaign can find more information at SubwayScandal.com.

Conclusion

The Humane League is not merely voicing consumer frustration but is fostering a movement toward accountability and ethical sourcing practices. As Subway has nearly 20,000 locations across the U.S., its decisions have wide-reaching implications on animal welfare standards within the fast food industry. As the deadline approaches in 2025, effective action on Subway's part is not just expected—it is demanded by the public. The fight for cage-free eggs is more than a campaign; it represents a pivotal moment in redefining corporate commitments to animal welfare.