Albertsons, Schwan, Kraft Heinz commit to cage-free eggs

Albertsons Companies, the Schwan Food Company and Kraft Heinz became the latest companies to announce the intent to source only cage-free eggs.

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Andrea Gantz
Andrea Gantz

Albertsons Companies, the Schwan Food Company and Kraft Heinz became the latest companies to announce the intent to source only cage-free eggs.

Schwan has set the goal to completely transition to cage-free eggs by 2020, while Albertsons and Kraft Heinz intends to complete the switch by 2025.

In addition to those three companies, many other businesses have pledged in 2016 to phase out eggs from caged hens. Those include: IHOP, Applebee’s, Golden Corral, CVS, Overview, Scaddabush, Jack Astor’s, Canyon Creek, Alice Fazooli’s, Far Niente, REDS, Four, Petit Four, Loose Moose, Cracker Barrel, Trader Joe’s, Cara Foods, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Taco John’s, Burger King, Tim Hortons, Starwood Hotels and Resorts,  Sonic, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Bob Evans, White Castle, P.F. Chang’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Target, ConAgra, Campbell’s, Mondelēz International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Denny’s, Quiznos, Wendy’s, Krystal, Ahold USA, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Pride.

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies -- which includes grocery chains Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market and Carrs – becomes the largest conventional retail grocery sector to commit to cage-free eggs.

The decision will affect more than 2,200 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

The company, in a press release, stated that it is making the move as both part of its ongoing commitment to animal welfare and as a response to customer purchasing habits.

"We take our commitment to providing responsibly sourced products seriously, and that responsibility extends naturally into ensuring our suppliers uphold humane animal welfare practices," said Shane Sampson, chief marketing and merchandising officer. "The transition to cage-free eggs will help us continue to provide a great, humane product to our customers while ensuring that our suppliers have ample time to prepare their operations to meet increased demand from retailers."

Schwan Food Company

Schwan Food Company, a privately held business that manufactures and markets quality foods through home-delivery, retail-grocery and food-service channels, stated in a press release that its transition will include all foods containing eggs and sold by a subsidiary of the company.

Its brands include Red Baron, Tony’s, Bon Appétit and Freschetta pizza, Mrs. Smith’s and Edwards desserts, Pagoda snacks and appetizers, and Schwan’s fine frozen foods.

“We are excited to have developed a clear path toward making our cage-free transition. As a frozen-food leader, we are committed to reviewing and working with our supply chain to ensure completion of this work as a part of our overall corporate responsibility commitment,” said Schwan CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios.

Kraft-Heinz Company

The Kraft-Heinz Company stated that it will switch to cage-free eggs in its entire North American supply by 2025.

The company primarily uses eggs in its sauces like Miracle Whip, Heinz Mayo and Kraft salad dressings.

Prior to the merger of Kraft Foods and H.J. Heinz Company in July 2015, Heinz had announced a commitment to transition to cage-free eggs. However, at the time, it had not established a target date to complete such a change.

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