European bakery manufacturer Baker & Baker has committed to using cage-free eggs across its entire portfolio from the end of 2027.
The sweet treats specialist, which manufactures muffins, cookies and more, has started transitioning to cage-free eggs across its global sourcing operation. Baker & Baker noted that it was working with suppliers to achieve this goal and has set a three-year implementation window to do so which it believes is a feasible timeframe due to ‘the complexities of its egg sourcing requirements’.
As such, from 2028 onwards, Baker & Baker will only source eggs that have been produced in a barn or free-range environment.
The business said it has proactively made this commitment due to the ‘complex rights issues that are associated with caged egg farming, and the potential for harm to hens that are kept in a caged environment’.
“We currently source eggs based on a number of factors, including availability and customer preferences. However, we are seeing an increasing number of customers throughout Europe opt for free-range eggs, and so we are now taking proactive steps to fully transition away from caged eggs,” said Baker & Baker CEO John Lindsay.
“We have a stringent code of conduct that we enforce with suppliers, and no evidence of animal mistreatment within our supply chain has ever emerged,” he added. “However, removing caged eggs from our sourcing is in the best interests of our customers and consumers, and most importantly, in safeguarding the welfare conditions of hens.”
Other bakery brands and associated businesses have made a similar commitment recently. In March, Tipiak committed to using Fairtrade chocolate and free-range eggs in its sweet and savoury pâtisserie offerings while coffee chain Joe & The Juice has pledged to using only cage-free eggs and egg ingredients in its global supply chain by 2024.
Savoury pastry and snacking brand Higgidy, which has used free-range eggs for many years, sought to highlight this through a spring campaign and NPD in support of the British Hen Welfare Trust. Called ‘Higgidy helping of scrumptious’, the campaign promoted its range of quiches including new addition Garlic-Roasted Broccoli & Vintage Cheddar Quiche with Emmental crumb. Consumers who bought the limited-edition quiche helped a million ex-commercial laying hens enjoy a free-range retirement thanks to the dedicated work of the Trust which is on a mission is to rehome the hens and encourage food companies to use free range eggs, which Higgidy has done for many years.
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