Denmark's Salling Group has announced that it has removed own-brand products containing eggs sourced from caged hens, from its Netto, Føtex, and Bilka stores.
Eggs from caged hens were being used in a wide range of processed products such as pasta, cookies, and mayonnaise.
CSR director at Salling Group, Jo Ottow Svendsen, said, "Customers have clearly stated that they want eggs where animal welfare is a priority. We have listened to this in close collaboration with our suppliers, which is why we have [ceased sales of caged eggs and products using these eggs] as a hidden ingredient in all of our stores."
Føtex removed caged eggs from its refrigerated counters in 2016, with Netto and Bilka following suit in 2017, the retailer added.
The three chains also reduced the price of skrabeæg, or eggs from hens that live in barns.
Animal Welfare Initiative
Salling Group has collaborated with the Danish Animal Protection Agency to implement the largest animal welfare initiative in the country's retail sector.
The initiative is expected to create a better selection, lower prices and increase the sale of products boasting high animal welfare credentials, by DKK 500 million (€66.91 million) by 2020.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
