Do you think you only eat free range? Think again...
‘Caged’ eggs in everyday foods
Grades stamped on UK-produced eggs mean Organic: Up to six hens per square metre in flocks of up to 3,000, no beak trimming Free range: Up to nine per sq m, beak trimming common 2 Barn: Up to nine per sq m, beak trimming routine Enriched cage: Up to 14 per sq m, beak trimming routine, no outdoor access.
Lion symbol shows hens have had salmonella vaccine RESTAURANT chains and processed food makers are still using eggs laid by hens crammed into cages in the dark with their beaks cut off.
Around 60% of Britons now buy free-range eggs after hearing horror stories about caged birds’ cruel living conditions.
But Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Costa, Caffe Nero, Zizzi, Frankie & Benny’s, Garfunkel’s, Brewer’s
Fayre, Cafe
Rouge, Bella
Italia, La
Tasca and Yo
Sushi! all use eggs from caged hens. They are also part of cooked breakfasts and other dishes at hotel chains Holiday Inn and Premier Inn.
Caged eggs are used in McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes and own brand foods from pasta to pork pies at Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Lidl,
Aldi and Spar.
Waitrose, M&S and
The Co-op use only free-range eggs in their own brand products, while Programme host Jamie Sainsbury’s uses a mix of barn and free-range eggs.
The issue is highlighted on Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast by chef Jamie Oliver and fellow host Jimmy Doherty.
Jimmy said: “Most people think caged eggs are a thing of the past, but they are not.”
“Battery” cages were banned in 2012 but up to 14 hens per square metre can still be cooped up in “enriched” cages.
Free range hens are housed in barns with bedding and perches.
The British Hen Welfare Trust has launched a Hidden Eggs campaign aimed at raising awareness of caged eggs in processed foods.
The BHWT’s Francesca Mapp said: “There is a huge misconception that cage-free means free range, which it does not.” McVities said: “We will only use eggs laid by cage-free hens in all our products by 2025.” ■ Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast is on Channel 4
at 8pm. Jaffa Cakes