In its new Canada Animal Welfare Scorecard report, animal rights group Mercy for Animals revealed where companies that pledged to source 100% cage-free eggs are following up on their commitments.
The report brings attention to 49 companies that do business in Canada and pledged to source cage-free eggs. And of those, the report’s authors said, 27 have reported progress in meeting those goals.
Companies that have completed transition
The following companies have already completed a transition to 100% cage-free eggs: Chipotle, Harvey’s, The Keg, Panago Pizza, Pita Pit, Swiss Chalet, Taco Bell, Unilever, Wendy’s and Whole Foods Market.
Meanwhile, Starbucks has completed the transition concerning shell eggs, but has not quite yet reported a full transition on liquid eggs at 99.9% or all eggs at 96%.
Companies reporting progress
Other companies have not yet met their pledges, but have reported they are making progress. Here is what they have reported:
- Aramark: The company pledged to complete a cage-free transition for shell eggs by 2022 and 2025 for all eggs. In its last report, the company said it was sourcing 31% cage-free shell eggs and 4% cage-free liquid eggs
- Campbell’s: The company vowed to be 100% cage-free by the end of 2025. It presently is sourcing 11% cage-free eggs.
- Compass Group: Also committing to source only cage-free eggs by the end 2025, it is 25% toward its goal on shell eggs and 34% there on liquid eggs.
- Conagra Brands: Conagra Brands announced its intent to source only cage-free eggs by 2024. Presently, 20% of its supply is cage free.
- Dairy Queen: Also setting a 2025 deadline, the company reported it was at 39% in 2021, but has not yet reported progress for 2022.
- General Mills: Another company to set a 2025 deadline, its current level is at 61%.
- IKEA: Like General Mills, IKEA is now sourcing 61% of its eggs from cage-free farms.
- Kellogg’s: The company has not reported any progress in 2022, but in 2021 it reported it was 13% toward meeting its goal, set for 2025.
- KFC: Setting a deadline of 2030, KFC is already sourcing 75% of its eggs from cage-free sources.
- Loblaws: The company set a 2025 goal, but its only report so far is its PC Free From brand of shell eggs is are 100% cage-free. That report was given in 2021.
- McDonald’s: Also setting a 2025 goal, McDonald's currently is at the 57% mark.
- Vetro: Setting a goal of 2026, Vetro’s Life Smart brand of shell eggs is over 60% toward meeting the goal.
- Nestle: In its last report, Nestle said it was sourcing 76.3% of its eggs from cage-free farms. It also set a goal for 2025.
- Pizza Hut: Also setting a goal to be met by 2030, Pizza Hut, like its Yum! Brands counterpart KFC, is at 75%.
- Save On Foods: This company set a 2025 deadline, and it is currently 40% on its way to meeting its goal.
- Sobeys: The company is nw sourcing 18.3% of its eggs from cage-free operations. It pledged to be 100% by 2025.
- Sodexo: Wanting to complete the transition by 2025, 85% of Sodexo’s shell eggs are cage-free, as are 79% of its liquid eggs and 73% of all eggs.
- Subway: Subway set a goal of 100% cage-free eggs in 2025. In 2021, it reported it was 6% on its way to its goal, but no update has been given in 2022.
- Sysco: Setting a goal to serve 100% cage-free eggs by 2026, Sysco is now sourcing 13% of its eggs from cage-free operations
Companies not reporting progress
These companies have made pledges to source cage-free eggs, but according to the report, have not yet reported any progress: 241 Pizza, A&W Canada, Boston Pizza, Burger King, Coffee Time, Couche-Tard, Country Style, Denny’s, Extreme Pita, Flanagan Foodservice, Gordon Food Service, Mr. Sub, Pizza Pizza, Popeyes, Second Cup, Stewart Foodservice, Tim Hortons and Walmart.
The report also offered updates on how companies in Canada are progressing toward Better Chicken Commitment and crate-free pork commitments.
