Good Egg Awards 2009

Citation

(2009), "Good Egg Awards 2009", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2009.01739eab.004

Good Egg Awards 2009

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 39, Issue 5.

Compassion in World Farming, the leading international farm animal welfare charity, awards companies that commit to sourcing cage-free eggs (organic, free-range or barn). Good Egg Award winners are helping millions of hens by going cage-free. From retailers and manufacturers to restaurant chains and corporate staff catering, the winners represent a movement of leading companies who are feeling good about letting hens out of cages. Previous winners include McDonald's, Hellmann's, Google staff catering, House of Commons catering, Sainsbury's, M&S, The Cooperative, Cadbury's, Starbucks, Pret A Manger and Subway.

The European Union is set to ban barren battery cages in 2012 due to public pressure and scientific evidence showing they are bad for the welfare of hens. However, “enriched” and “colony” cages will be allowed after 2012, which still seriously compromise hen welfare.

That's why Compassion in World Farming is celebrating cage-free egg sourcing. Hens in cage-free systems lead a more natural life. They have more space to exercise, forage, perch, nest and dust-bathe. The best systems give hens outdoor access and tree cover, encouraging them to range and feel safe from aerial predators.

There are more than 300 million laying hens in the European Union. Around three-quarters of them are still housed in battery cages.