Nestlé has announced its commitment to eliminating the use of caged eggs from its worldwide supply chain by 2025.
The policy will cover 189 countries including Australia in a bid to improve the lives of tens of millions of hens.
Products across various Australian Nestle brands including Lean Cuisine, Nesquik and Kit-Kat will be affected by the policy.
A statement from the company said: “To help drive welfare improvements for egg-laying hens, our goal is to use only cage-free eggs for all of our food products globally by 2025. This includes all shell eggs and egg products (e.g. whole egg powder and liquid, egg white powder and liquid) directly sourced as ingredients by Nestle.
“In Europe and the US, we will make this transition by the end of 2020. For the rest of the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania we will do so by 2025 and in Asia we will aim for the same transition period as conditions allow.
Animals Australia Farmed Animal Advocacy Jesse Marks said the company commended Nestlé’s decision for the animal welfare policy.
“As the largest food company in the world, this decision is a signal to the rest of the food industry that cage eggs don’t have a future,” he said.
“Australian consumers are concerned about the cruelty egg-laying hens suffer in cages, with a recent Roy Morgan poll showing that 67 per cent of Australians are more likely to support a company that has a policy not to use or sell cage eggs. This decision by Nestle demonstrates how leaders in the corporate sector can listen to their customers and respond.”
The new policy was put together following negotiations with the Open Wing Alliance, Food and Drink Business.com.au reported.