Animal welfare activists are claiming that the world’s largest investigation into industrialized egg farms has highlighted filthy caged conditions.
The investigation conducted by the Open Wing Alliance, a coalition of nearly 100 organizations led by The Humane League, examined conditions in 35 countries. It found widespread abuse of egg-laying hens confined in overcrowded cages, with numerous instances of injured birds, rotting carcasses, and disease-ridden environments.
Food Corporations Under Scrutiny
Despite the majority of food corporations, including The Hershey Company, Hormel Foods, and Barilla, committing to removing cages from their egg supply chains and transitioning to cage-free environments, some remain hesitant to adapt.
The report indicates that companies such as Walmart, Zensho Holdings, Aeon, and Inspire Brands continue to profit from sourcing eggs from hens kept in outdated cages. The investigation specifically examined how these companies procure caged eggs.
Nikki Glaser, comedian and 2025/6 Golden Globe host, stated, “From North America to Asia, Europe to Africa, South America to Australia – no country, no company using cages is safe from what we found. It turns out, the price tag is the least shocking thing about eggs.”
A Global Crisis
Ellie Ponders, Senior Director of Global Corporate Engagement at the Open Wing Alliance, emphasized that the investigation reveals not only an animal welfare scandal but also a looming threat to public health and corporate integrity. “Cramming sick, stressed hens into filthy cages fosters disease, yet companies like Walmart and Inspire Brands cling to this outdated and dangerous model,” she noted.
Ponders continued, “This isn’t an isolated issue; it’s a global crisis. This investigation illustrates systemic suffering, worldwide inaction, and a betrayal of public trust. Investors, regulators, and consumers must ask the same question – how much longer will these corporations gamble with our health and trust?”
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