Retailers, restaurants continue cage-free commitments

June 30, 2022

With the focus on the upcoming Supreme Court case on Proposition 12, set to be heard on October 11, the industry is reminded many companies have already committed to moving towards cage-free eggs, with continuing announcements of cage-free commitments and recommitments.

The activist group Compassion in World Farming released a report tracking 219 companies’ cage-free commitments. These announcements do not get the attention they once did, but companies still feel they are important. According to the report, 71% of the companies report on their cage-free commitments, with progress varying widely. In 2021, 12 companies in the U.S. had met their goal of sourcing only cage-free eggs. The report also indicates that the average percent increase in sourcing of cage-free eggs was a modest 2.63%.

Many new cage-free commitments expand on existing commitments or are made by companies for areas in Asia. Some companies seem better prepared to fulfill their commitments. For example, Quiznos announced in 2022 that they plan to source 25% cage-free eggs in 2024 and be 100% cage-free in 2025. Black Bear Diner reports they are currently at 50% cage-free eggs and plan to be at 75% by the end of 2023. Retailers, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy announced all eggs sold at their locations would be cage-free by the end of the year.