Issue Type: Farm Animals

SÃO PAULO—Carrefour, Brazil’s leading food retailer, has announced it will sell exclusively cage-free eggs at its supermarkets throughout Brazil, becoming the first supermarket company in the country to make this commitment. Carrefour operates almost 650 stores throughout Brazil and will complete its transition to cage-free eggs by 2025 for Carrefour-brand eggs and by 2028 for all other brands sold in its supermarkets.

This announcement comes after many years of working with Humane Society International/Brazil (HSI) and discussions with other organizations, such as Mercy For Animals, Fórum Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Animal, and Animal Equality. Carrefour and HSI will continue to work together on the implementation of this policy. A joint workshop and farm tour for the company’s Brazilian egg suppliers to share best practices and technical expertise in cage-free production are already scheduled to take place at Carrefour headquarters in France this year.

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In a policy statement, Paulo Pianez, Carrefour sustainability and corporate responsibility director in Brazil, stated: “With this commitment, we are taking another important step towards promoting sustainability in our supply chain. We understand that as a retailer we have the role of creating a valuable link between the consumer and the production chain, collaborating to promote significant changes in consumption habits.”

Maria Fernanda Martin, animal welfare specialist for HSI Farm Animals in Brazil, said: “We applaud Carrefour for becoming the first supermarket chain in Brazil to pledge to sell only cage-free eggs, and we look forward to continuing to work with the company and its egg suppliers on the implementation of this policy. This move will relieve millions of egg-laying hens from a life of extreme confinement and sends a clear message to the egg industry in Brazil that the future of egg production is cage-free.”

Egg-laying hens in Brazil are typically confined for their whole lives in wire cages so small that they cannot even fully stretch their wings. Cage-free production systems typically offer hens higher levels of welfare, allowing the birds to express more of their natural behaviors, including moving around, laying eggs in nests, perching, and fully spreading their wings. HSI works together with the food industry in Brazil and worldwide to help ensure a successful transition to these higher animal welfare production systems, through farm tours, technical workshops on cage-free systems, and the exchange of best practices.

Carrefour joins other food corporations that have committed to sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs in Brazil and throughout Latin America. Nestlé, the largest food company in the world, and Unilever have committed to a global cage-free egg supply chain by 2025. After working with HSI, Burger King and Arcos Dorados, which operates McDonald’s in Brazil and 19 other countries in the region, committed to switching to 100 percent cage-free eggs, as did other restaurant operators, accounting for thousands of restaurants in Brazil and Latin America. Brazil’s leading food service companies, including Compass Group (GRSA), Sodexo, Sapore, and Grupo Lemos Passos also announced cage-free egg policies in partnership with HSI. Alsea, the largest restaurant operator in Latin America and Spain, and Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest bakery company, announced their cage-free egg policies after several years of talks with HSI specialists. Other leading food and hospitality companies such as Kraft-Heinz, International Meal Company (IMC), Cargill, Brazil Fast Food Corporation (BFFC), Subway, Intercontinental Hotels Group, AccorHotels, Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Giraffas, Barilla, Divino Fogão, Habib’s, Grupo CRM, and Bauducco have also pledged to go cage-free in Brazil. Take action and donate to help chickens and other animals.

Media contact: Maria Fernanda Martin, mfmartin@hsi.org, +55 (11) 9 5770 9922

SaladStop!, Asia’s leading healthy food chain, is joining the global cage-free movement with a commitment to use exclusively cage-free eggs in its supply chain by 2025. This will apply to eggs in a shell as well as eggs that are processed or used as ingredients. This pledge applies to all SaladStop! locations globally, including Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Korea, Japan and Spain. The Singapore-based family-owned company announces this policy in partnership with Humane Society International, a leading global animal protection organization. HSI welcomes this commitment as an important step forward for animals in Asia.

Katherine Braha, director of SaladStop!, said: “Our motto ‘Eat Wide Awake’ means taking into consideration the environment, animal welfare and the food chain when sourcing our ingredients. We hope to be one of the catalysts in changing the food system for the better and support a new breed of farms committed to positive change. Animal welfare is an important part of this change, which is why we are excited to work with HSI to source higher welfare cage-free eggs.”

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Dawn Neo, corporate outreach manager for HSI Farm Animals in Asia, said: “We congratulate SaladStop! for improving animal welfare in its supply chain by adopting a cage-free egg procurement policy. The transition to sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs will significantly improve the lives of countless animals, and this commitment helps pave the way towards a higher standard of corporate social responsibility for animal welfare in Asia. We are happy to work with SaladStop! on this important initiative, and we look forward to working with more companies in the region on similar policies.”

In Asia and around the world, egg-laying hens spend their entire lives confined in wire battery cages, so small that they cannot even spread their wings. Both science and common sense show that virtually immobilizing animals for their entire lives causes mental distress and significant physical pain. Cage-free systems are commercially viable production methods that generally offer higher animal welfare compared to caged systems. Cage-free hens are able to walk, stretch their wings and lay eggs in nests, in addition to other important natural behaviors that are all denied to animals confined in cages.

SaladStop! joins other companies in Asia such as The Lo & Behold Group, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Andaz Singapore, AccorHotels, Sodexo, Compass Group and Unilever that have already committed to eliminating battery cage eggs from their supply chains. Hundreds of food industry leaders around the globe have done the same.

ENDS

Media contact: Hwee Theng, asiaevents@hsi.org

SINGAPORE—Grand Hyatt Singapore and Andaz Singapore announced their commitment to switch to a 100-percent cage-free egg (shell and liquid) supply chain by 2025 or earlier. Humane Society International, one of the world’s largest animal protection organizations, welcomes this announcement and praises both Hyatt hotels for joining the global cage-free animal welfare movement and taking a leadership role within Singapore’s hospitality sector.

Grand Hyatt Singapore has already achieved the target of procuring 100 percent cage-free shell eggs in May 2018, a transition that took place within the span of six months. Andaz Singapore has sourced 100 percent cage-free shell eggs since November 2017. HSI congratulates Grand Hyatt Singapore and Andaz Singapore on being the first hotels in Singapore to have reached this milestone, and will work with hotel management to complete the transition for liquid eggs. Both Hyatt hotels display signage at the breakfast egg station to help their customers learn about cage-free eggs as a more humane alternative to battery cage egg production. Chef Lucas Glanville, director of Culinary Operations for Grand Hyatt Singapore & South East Asia, said: “We are proud to support the use of higher animal welfare products as we continue to pursue our commitment towards conscious eating by using quality-driven sustainable ingredients, and we believe this will appeal to diners who are increasingly becoming aware of responsible food choices.”

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Soren Lascelles, executive chef for Andaz Singapore, said: “We are aware of how important it is to source responsible, sustainable products for our guests, and we care about the way that animals in food production are treated. That is why we are proud to join the global cage-free egg movement in partnership with HSI and work to improve animal welfare in our supply chain.”

Dawn Neo, corporate outreach manager for HSI Farm Animals in Asia, said: “We congratulate Grand Hyatt Singapore and Andaz Singapore for their leadership in this important corporate social responsibility initiative that will improve the lives of thousands of animals. Their commitment and quick actions towards adopting a 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain sets a wonderful example for the rest of the industry in Singapore and the region. We look forward to working with both Hyatt hotels on this transition, and invite other companies from the hotel industry to join this movement.”

In Asia and around the world, egg-laying hens spend their entire lives confined in wire battery cages that are so small that they cannot even fully spread their wings. Well-managed cage-free systems offer higher animal welfare compared to caged systems. Cage-free hens are able to walk, stretch their wings and lay their eggs in nests, in addition to having the ability to express other important natural behaviors that are all denied to animals confined in cages.

Grand Hyatt Singapore and Andaz Singapore joins other companies that have committed to this cage-free egg initiative in Asia, including The Lo & Behold Group, AccorHotels, Sodexo, Compass Group and Unilever, among others.

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Media Contact: Hwee Theng, asiaevents@hsi.org

BUENOS AIRES—In a meeting held between Havanna and officials at Humane Society International, one of the world’s leading animal protection organizations, the company announced that it is joining the organization’s global cage-free egg initiative, committing to switch to a 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain. This new commitment applies to Havanna’s global production and supply chain for all its products that contain eggs (shell, liquid and powder).

Havanna’s decision to go cage-free was made jointly with HSI, and followed several meetings in which both institutions evaluated and identified new egg producers that could meet this higher welfare standard, and set timelines for this gradual transition to a 100 percent cage-free egg supply chain.

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Havanna is the leading Argentinean manufacturer of “alfajores”, chocolates and other products, and also operates coffee shops in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, the United States, Spain, Paraguay and Venezuala. The company will work hand in hand with HSI and its egg suppliers to complete the transition to cage-free eggs no later than 2025, and will publish annual progress reports during this transition period.

Alan Aurich, CEO of Havanna, said: “We believe that evolution is essential in order to be in tune with global trends and new challenges. Animal welfare is a priority CSR issue at the global level, and Havanna understands that the time has come for us to also improve our production processes in this regard. We know that our customers are aware that we work with high quality standards. It fills us with pride to be the first Argentinean company to look for production options using cage-free eggs”.

Ignacia Uribe, corporate policy manager for HSI Farm Animals in Argentina, said: “We congratulate Havanna for becoming the first Argentinean company to join the global cage-free egg movement. By adopting a cage-free policy, Havanna is demonstrating its commitment to corporate social responsibility and at the same time responding to the demands of its customers for higher animal welfare products. We hope Havanna’s new policy will be an example for other Argentinean companies”.

In Argentina, the majority of egg-laying hens are confined in wire battery cages so small they cannot even 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 and allow hens to carry out these vital natural behaviors that are denied in caged systems.

Media Contacts: For HSI: MariaJose.Pandullo@hkstrategies.com. For Havanna: Orlando Molaro, orlando@mprcomunicacion.com

JAKARTA—Humane Society International recently hosted Indonesia’s first corporate animal welfare roundtable, bringing together leading food service, restaurant and hospitality companies to discuss the global movement towards higher animal welfare supply chains, specifically with respect to cage-free eggs. Public concern for egg-laying hen welfare has increased tremendously in recent years, and in response, food industry leaders in Asia and around the globe have committed to sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs.

The roundtable, which took place on April 5th at Le Méridien Jakarta hotel in Jakarta, included among its speakers the head of the Southern Branch of the Vietnamese Department of Livestock Production, Do Huu Phuong, who presented on the Vietnam livestock production sector’s new and growing focus on animal welfare. Sodexo, one of the largest food service companies in the world, spoke on its global cage-free egg commitment and the steps the company is taking to complete this transition by 2025, including in Indonesia and throughout Asia. HSI presented on the scientific basis for cage-free egg production, the global trend towards higher animal welfare products, and its partnerships with companies and governments to successfully transition to cage-free egg supply chains and practices.

The roundtable was attended by representatives from Asian food and hospitality companies, both those that already have cage-free egg procurement policies, and those interested in adopting the policy, as well as officials from the Indonesian government and representatives from the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association.

Dawn Neo, HSI corporate outreach manager for farm animals, said: “We’re thrilled to host Indonesia’s first corporate animal welfare roundtable and bring together forward-thinking companies that are committed to higher animal welfare standards in their supply chains. Humane Society International’s mission calls not only for the improved treatment of animals, but for the support of companies as they implement animal welfare policies, and for greater collaboration among various stakeholders. We want to help ensure that companies have all of the tools and resources they need to make a cage-free future for laying hens a reality.”

Roshith Rajan, Sodexo’s director of corporate responsibility for Asia Pacific, said: “When Sodexo made a worldwide commitment to source cage-free eggs a couple of years ago, we were the first in our sector to do so, in support of responsible and sustainable business practices. Today, it is heartening to see more than 200 companies from across industries joining the cage-free movement in making commitments and demonstrating where the market is headed. As a company that provides Quality of Life services to millions every day, we aspire to create a better tomorrow for everyone.”

In Asia and around the world, egg-laying hens spend their entire lives confined in wire battery cages, so small that they cannot even fully spread their wings. Science confirms what common sense tells us: the lack of space and restriction of movement is detrimental to the physical health of these animals and causes enormous frustration and suffering. Fortunately, the world is moving towards higher welfare cage-free production systems. The use of conventional battery cages for laying hens is banned or being phased out under laws or regulations throughout the EU, in five U.S. states, in New Zealand, Bhutan and in the Australian Capital Territory. Officials in the majority of states in India, the world’s third largest egg producer, have declared that the use of battery cages violates the country’s animal welfare legislation, and the country is debating a national ban. Dozens of food and hospitality industry leaders including in Asia, such as Sodexo, Compass Group, Accor and Hilton, among others, have committed to sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA—Under its new animal welfare and sustainability initiative, Colombian restaurant group Grupo Takami announced that by 2022, its supply chain will use 100 percent cage-free eggs. This includes shell eggs, processed eggs and products that contain eggs. Grupo Takami—which operates Central Cevicheria, OSAKI, 80 Sillas, Black Bear, Cacio e Pepe, Segundo, La Fama, Cantina y Punto, Sipote and Ugly American restaurants—will work with Humane Society International, a leading global animal protection organization, and its suppliers, to complete the transition by then.

A spokesperson for Grupo Takami stated: “At Takami, we are aware of how important it is for the environment and the company to develop sustainable sourcing strategies based on the meeting of high-quality, food safety and sustainability standards, that allow us to find the best ingredients for our dishes. That is why we are proud to join the global cage-free egg movement in partnership with HSI and be able to improve sustainability and animal welfare in our supply chain.”

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Elissa Lane, deputy director of HSI’s farm animals campaign, stated: “We applaud Grupo Takami for taking seriously animal welfare and its clients’ concerns about this issue by adopting a cage-free egg procurement policy. Grupo Takami’s commitment will improve the lives of animals and we look forward to continuing to work with the company to implement the program.”

In Colombia, the majority of egg-laying hens are confined in wire cages so small the birds can barely stretch their wings. Each cage confines between five to 10 hens and each animal has less space than a letter-size sheet of paper on which to spend her entire life. Cage-free systems generally offer hens higher levels of animal welfare, and allow the animals to express more natural behaviors, including nesting, dustbathing, perching and forraging.