Frequently Asked Questions about Cage-Free Eggs
As with any issue, there have been many questions relating to cage-free eggs. This page will hopefully answer some of those questions.
I heard that there are no standards governing the use of the cage-free.
Although cage-free doesn't have much legal meaning, students at the University of Minnesota are asking for Certified Humane cage-free eggs. The Certified Humane label is governed by a strict set of standards and regular inspections.1 It is supported by many national animal welfare organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The standards were created by some of the foremost animal scientists.2
How is Certified Humane cage-free different than the eggs the University currently uses?
Over 90% of the eggs the University currently uses come from Michael Foods.3 Michael Foods does not even meet the minimal requirements of the United Egg Producers (UEP) certification that over 80% of battery cage facilities meet.4 In UEP certified facilities, the hens are given only 67 square inches per bird; a sheet of paper is 93.5 square inches.5 This space is so small that the birds do not have room to stretch their wings, move freely, groom, or perform other natural behaviors. The birds are not given perches or nesting material and spend their entire lives on barren wire cage floors.
In Certified Humane facilities, the hens are given perches, nesting areas, and litter to dust bathe in. In a multi-tier facilities where 55% of hens can perch over a waste droppings pit or conveyor belt, each bird must be given at least 144 square inches of available space. In a facility without segregated perches, each bird must be given 216 square inches of space. Whereas in most battery cage facilities the lights are simply turned off, Certified Humane facilities must gradually dim the lights to simulate a natural setting and allow the birds to prepare for darkness. All hens must be inspected at least twice daily. Sick hens must be segregated, and birds with severe injuries must be humanely euthanized promptly. These are just a few of the requirements in the Certified Humane standard, which governs the care of birds throughout their life cycle.6
Have other universities gone cage-free?
Over 75 universities have switched or are in the process of switching to cage-free eggs.7 This includes schools such as Macalaster, St. Olaf, Georgetown University, University of New Hampshire, and University of Iowa (pilot program). Hamline University apparently will switch to cage-free eggs if the University of Minnesota does (as they cannot purchase in large enough quantities for Sysco to supply them individually).
Across the Atlantic, battery cages are already being phased out in many countries, including Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, and by 2012 conventional battery cages will be phased out within the entire European Union.
Is there a constant supply of cage-free eggs at levels that meet the University's needs?
Cage-free eggs are readily available in quantities that far surpass UDS's needs. Food-service provider Bon Appetit—which purchases 8 million shell eggs for the more than 55 million meals it sells annually in nearly 200 dining facilities in 26 states including Minnesota—initiated a one-year phase-out of all shell battery eggs last fall. Their switchover is going smoothly.8 CAA has contacted two Certified-Humane cage-free producers in neighboring states, both of which assured us that they could easily meet UDS's needs for frozen, liquid, and shell eggs. One of these producers is the primary supplier to Bon Appetit.
Won't switching encourage animal protection activists to push for other things?
From the perspective of the animal protection movement, battery cages are the most cruel system widely used in modern animal agriculture. By comparison, most beef cattle, cows, pigs, broiler (meat) chickens, and turkeys are treated well.
Because of this view, Compassionate Action for Animals has agreed to not pursue any other campaign that would increase the price of the meal plans for three years if UDS switches to Certified Humane cage-free eggs. We have given a written, signed statement of this to UDS, the Student Advisory Board, and the Residential Housing Association.
Aren't cage-free birds at higher risk of avian flu?
No. In both caged and cage-free production, hens are kept indoors. Only birds kept outside are at higher risk of spreading avian flu.
Are battery-cage eggs safer?
The European Food Safety Authority reviewed all of the available scientific studies of food safety risks in different layer housing systems and found that properly managed cage-free flocks have no higher rates of dirty, cracked, or otherwise downgraded eggs, than caged flocks. In cage-free systems, eggs laid on litter rather than in nests could theoretically pose a higher risk of Salmonella contamination. However, a recent study by the UK Food Standards Agency found no significant differences in Salmonella contamination of eggs produced in cages, deep litter, free-range, and organic systems. Other studies have found the incidence of Salmonella is influenced more by the genetics of the layer strain than by housing.9
Every major grocery store in America, including Walmart, Safeway, Alberton’s, and Giant, offer cage-free eggs. Some grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Wild Oats (two of the largest natural food store chains in the country) only offer cage-free eggs. Three of the largest food service companies in the country, Compass Group, ARAMARK, and Sodexho, offer cage-free eggs. Either cage-free eggs are just as safe as eggs from caged hens, or the major players in the food industry are putting their clients at risk.
How much will it cost?
According to a UDS representative at a UDS Advisory Board meeting, the cost will be 0.4% of the total meal plan. Assuming a 4.3% increase in meal plan costs for 2006-2007 (the suggested base price increase from the University), the per-semester cost would be $6.31 on the unlimited plan, $5.91 on the 19 meals per week plan, $5.57 on the 14 meals per week plan, $5.39 on the 150 meals per semester plan, and $7.00 on the Kosher plan. Depending on the plan, this amounts to between 1.8 cents and 3.5 cents a meal.
1 Humane Farm Animal Care. 2004. Animal Care Standards: Egg Laying Hens, at http://certifiedhumane.org
2 Humane Farm Animal Care. 2004. People Behind Certified Humane Raised & Handled, at http://certifiedhumane.org/people.html
3Received from a data request through the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
4 United Egg Producers. 2004. Certification Program Reaches 80 Percent Participation, at http://www.unitedegg.org/animal_care.aspx
5 United Egg Producers. 2005. Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg Laying Flocks, at http://www.uepcertified.com/docs/2005_UEPanimal_welfare_guidelines.pdf
6 Humane Farm Animal Care. 2004. Animal Care Standards: Egg Laying Hens, at http://certifiedhumane.org
7 Humane Society of the United States. 2006. Cage-Free Campus Campaign Participants.
8 Bon Appétit. 2005. Bon Appétit Management Co. Pledges to Sell Only Cage-Free Eggs in its Nearly 200 Dining Facilities, at http://www.bamco.com/PressRoom/press-pre-101005.htm
9 European Food Safety Authority. 2004. The welfare aspects of various systems of keeping laying hens, EFSA-Q-2003-92. Final Report for the European Commission, at efsa.eu.int/science/ahaw/ahaw_opinions/831_en.html.
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