Kraft Heinz has committed to sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs in its entire supply chain in Latin America. This policy follows discussions with HSI and other animal protection organizations. The company, which produces mayonnaise and salad dressings that contain egg, will conclude the transition to cage-free eggs by 2025.

Elissa Lane, deputy director of HSI Farm Animals, stated: “We applaud Kraft Heinz for its commitment to improving animal welfare in its supply chain in Latin America by eliminating its procurement of eggs produced by hens confined in controversial battery cages. Consumers care about the treatment animals receive in food production, and we’re proud of the work we’re doing with industry leaders in Latin America and globally to meet the growing demand for higher welfare products and generate transformational change in the global egg industry.”

In Latin America, the majority of egg-laying hens are confined in wire battery cages. The cages are so small that the hens can barely move or stretch their wings. Each battery cage confines five to 10 egg-laying hens and each animal has less space than a letter-sized piece of paper on which to spend her whole life. Hens confined in battery cages are unable to express important natural behaviors, including nesting, dustbathing, and perching. Cage-free systems generally offer hens higher levels of animal welfare than battery cage systems.

Kraft Heinz joins other multinational companies that have committed to using exclusively cage-free eggs in the country and throughout the region, including Unilever, Grupo Bimbo, Compass Group, Sodexo, Subway, McDonald’s, Burger King, and Alsea (Archies y Dominos).