Kellogg’s and TGI Friday latest to go “cage free” on eggs

Two major US companies, Kellogg’s and TGI Friday, have joined the steady stream of firms pledging to source cage-free eggs, with plans to implement the policy by 2025.

Kellogg’s also said it would consider the Five Freedoms of animal welfare as part of its promise to consistently improve its supply chain in the future.

The company, which uses eggs in some of its frozen breakfast foods, has already reduced its use of eggs from caged hens by 20m eggs since 2007.

See also: Cage-free gathers pace in US market

Diane Holdorf, chief sustainability officer at Kellogg Company, said: “While we hope the transition comes sooner than 2025, we understand that the development of the alternative housing methods takes time and we are committed to working with our suppliers to establish the appropriate path forward.”

Josh Balk, senior food policy adviser at the Humane Society of the US, welcomed the move: “Kellogg’s timeline for switching to 100% cage-free eggs improves animals’ lives and serves as a further signal to the egg industry that the future of egg production is one without cages.”

Meanwhile, TGI Friday has set a goal to source only cage-free eggs throughout its US supply chain no later than 2025.

Quinton Crenshaw, vice-president of strategic communications and external affairs, said: “Animal welfare is important to Friday’s and our guests and we believe this announcement reflects that commitment. Our company believes in operating responsibly in all aspects of our business, and ensuring a responsible supply chain is a way we can demonstrate that.”

The announcements follow the decision earlier this month by Rembrandt Foods to move to cage-free production.

McDonald’s, Burger King and a number of other US firms have also made similar announcements as the move to cage-free sourcing gathers pace.