Farmed Animals

Egg Labelling and Consumer Welfare Choices

Accurate egg labelling empowers consumers to make informed welfare choices, but labelling can be confusing or misleading.

Key Facts

EU law requires eggs to be labelled with a code indicating production method
Code 0=organic, 1=free-range, 2=barn, 3=cage, but cage-free does not mean cage-free outdoors
Free-range standards vary enormously between countries and certification schemes
Eggs from caged hens are still widely used in processed foods without labelling requirements
Consumer demand for higher-welfare eggs has driven significant cage-free commitments from retailers

Welfare Considerations

Egg production is one of the most significant sources of farm animal suffering globally. Clear, honest labelling of eggs and egg ingredients in processed foods is essential to enable consumer choice to drive welfare improvements across the supply chain.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs labelled free-range or organic and check certification details
Ask restaurants about the source of eggs used in dishes
Advocate for mandatory welfare labelling on processed foods containing eggs
Support campaigns for full cage-free transitions in egg production