Title: 2025: A Pivotal Year for Cage-Free Meat and Eggs
In 2025, the U.S. is set to witnessed a significant transformation in the treatment of animals raised for food. This shift has been in the works for a decade, with major corporations committing to becoming 100% cage-free as early as 2015. By 2025, over 2,500 cage-free egg commitments have been made globally, with 1,200 already being met. These pledges, however, require time and effort to implement, as changing farming systems takes patience and perseverance.
Breaking the Mold
While some companies have been dragging their feet, others have taken advantage of the past decade to make substantial progress. Fast-food giants like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's have all committed to transitioning away from cruel confinement methods. In fact, within the same fast-food category, there are numerous instances where one company has already achieved 100% cage-free eggs, while their competitors still haven't set a target.
Supermarkets like Whole Foods and Sprouts have also made impressive strides, with both chains having already fulfilled their cage-free egg commitments. For layer hens, cage-free systems that offer space to stretch, explore, and forage are highly beneficial. Organizations like the ASPCA maintain a Supermarket Scorecard, which ranks major grocery stores based on their animal welfare practices, including cage-free policies for hens and group-housing requirements for pigs.
The Stragglers
Regrettably, not all companies have used this decade-long window of opportunity wisely. Walmart, for example, initially set a 2025 goal for fully cage-free eggs but qualified the statement with conditions that ultimately made it impossible to meet. The company has admitted defeat, having only managed to reach 27% in cage-free egg sales as of FY 2024. Walmart’s pork, intended to meet the standards of the federal program Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus, still permits the use of crates too small for pigs to turn around.
Similarly, Kroger has fallen short of its 100% cage-free egg goal, citing sluggish customer demand as the main hurdle. The company now expects to reach 70% cage-free by 2030.
Meanwhile, other large retailers like Dollar General have revoked their 100% cage-free egg commitments, blaming both customers and shareholders for their actions. Companies that were initially leading the charge toward animal welfare now seem to be stepping back, leaving consumers and advocacy groups wondering what happened.
As the country approaches the 2025 deadline, it's clear that not all companies will meet their pledges. The U.S. is still home to 121 million hens that need to be living outside of cages to meet the collective commitments. Globally, companies with commitments in Asia are finding it particularly challenging to make the transition.
The Issue of Transparency
Transparency is another important aspect in assessing a company's commitment to animal welfare. While retailers like Kroger and Costco offer detailed information about their animal welfare policies and efforts, others like Target and Dollar Tree are less forthcoming. For instance, Target did not specify when they expect to phase out gestation crates for pregnant pigs. Some companies, such as Ahold Delhaize and Aldi US, are criticized for their lack of transparency and their continuing use of inhumane practices.
Grocery store labels can be confusing for consumers, with terms like 'farm fresh' on egg cartons leading people to believe that the hens were raised in more humane conditions than they actually were. Too often, empty claims and deceptive labels leave shoppers misled.
Encouraging Consumer Choice
Advocacy organizations like Crate Free USA and The Open Wing Alliance work with corporations to improve animals' living conditions. By engaging with companies, these groups help promote more humane practices and encourage transparency. While consumer demand for better animal welfare is crucial in driving change, companies also bear responsibility for meeting the commitments they have made and disclosing information about their progress.
Ultimately, it's up to individual consumers to make informed choices, to advocate for policies that support more humane farming practices, and to support companies that prioritize animal welfare. The future of win-win choices between responsible food production and consumer interests hinges on consumers taking up the challenge to demand better living conditions for the animals that provide our food.
This article is part of a series exploring cage-free transitions in animal agriculture around the world. Look forward to reading about cage-free progress in Europe and Asia.
[1] "United States Census Bureau." (n.d.). Annual Crop Projections and Summaries: Egg Production. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/annual-crop-projections-and-summaries/#table-supply
[2] "FAOSTAT." (n.d.). Livestock: Poultry (chickens). Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL
[3] "MI Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development." (n.d.). General Agriculture and Management Practices (GAAMPs). Retrieved from https://www.michigan.gov/ama/0,1607,7-157-38996_15864---,00.html
[4] "Union of Concerned Scientists." (n.d.). EggTrack USA Report 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/eggtrack-usa-report-2024
In this context, it can be said that fast-food restaurants and supermarkets are transitioning towards using 'crate-free' and 'cage-free' farming methods, highlighting their commitment to animal welfare. Notably, companies like McDonald's and Whole Foods have already met their 'cage-free' egg commitments, setting an example for others in the industry. Conversely, some large retailers, such as Dollar General and Walmart, have faced challenges in meeting their 'cage-free' egg pledges, raising concerns about their commitment to animal welfare.
