Mondelez International has announced its decision to use only 100% cage-free eggs in its products sold in the US and Canada by 2020 and in Europe by 2025.The move emerged following years of improving sustainable and responsible sourcing, including improving the welfare of egg-laying chickens in the supply chain, the company claimed.
Mondelez International sustainability director Jonathan Horrell said: "With the ambition of being the global leader in wellbeing snacks, we are making great strides in ensuring sustainable and responsible production of our products and sourcing of our ingredients.
"Meaningful commitments such as these take time, in both planning and implementation, but we are very pleased to announce this major step forward in our cage-free sourcing.
"We ultimately want all eggs to be produced cage-free, and we will continue to advance conversations with suppliers to establish timelines for cage-free production in other regions, when we have evidence that commercially viable supplies are available."
Mondelez currently uses 100% cage-free eggs in its European chocolate brands and its biscuit products sold in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Humane Society of the United States senior director for food policy Josh Balk said: "We applaud Mondelez International for their continued partnership and progress in switching to cage-free eggs in North America and Europe.
"This is a tremendous step forward for a global company, and it will make a meaningful difference for animals."
Mondelez International had a pro forma 2014 revenue of more than $30bn.
With a presence in 165 countries, Mondelez International is a manufacturer of biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy and powdered beverages. The company owns brands, including Oreo, LU and Nabisco biscuits, Cadbury, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Milka chocolate, Trident gum and Tang powdered beverages.
US-based food company ConAgra Foods recently announced its intention to use 100% cage-free eggs in its US products by 2025. Companies such as Nestle, Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's also decided to use 100% cage-free eggs.
