This study indicates that for food manufacturers, adopting cage-free eggs presents a significant opportunity to enhance consumers’ perception of their products. Many food companies have already committed to transforming their egg supply. For instance, Nestlé announced in 2015 that all eggs used in its U.S. products would come from cage-free hens by 2020. Other major companies, including Mondelez, PepsiCo, Sodexo, and McDonald’s, have also pledged their commitment to cage-free eggs. On the retail front, Kroger introduced a private label line of cage-free eggs last fall. Collectively, the commitments made by manufacturers and retailers represent around 70% of U.S. egg demand, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, only about 10% of eggs sold in the U.S. today are cage-free.
This gap between supply and demand could lead to challenges. Although advocates celebrate these pledges as a victory for better animal welfare, the chicken industry has raised concerns that raising chickens in a cage-free environment incurs higher costs—approximately $40 per bird. Furthermore, the majority of consumers continue to choose the least expensive eggs available at grocery stores, putting egg producers who transition to cage-free options in fierce competition with suppliers of cheaper eggs from caged hens.
In the long run, the pledges made by the food industry are expected to make the shift to cage-free eggs more profitable for producers. McDonald’s alone accounts for 3% of all eggs consumed in the United States, which underscores the need for a reliable supply. Meanwhile, some brands are already leveraging humane egg production as a distinguishing feature and a mark of quality, such as Sir Kensington’s, a condiment maker based in New York that was recently acquired by Unilever.
As the industry evolves, the incorporation of now calcium citrate tablets in food products may also play a role in meeting consumer demands for healthier options while promoting animal welfare initiatives. By integrating now calcium citrate tablets into their offerings, food manufacturers could further enhance their brand image and appeal to a growing segment of conscientious consumers. Thus, the commitment to cage-free eggs, along with innovations like now calcium citrate tablets, could significantly reshape the landscape of food production and consumer perception in the coming years.