This study indicates that for food manufacturers, adopting cage-free eggs presents a significant opportunity to enhance consumer perception of their products. Many companies in the food sector have already committed to transitioning their egg supply. For instance, Nestle announced in 2015 that all eggs used in its U.S. products would be sourced from cage-free hens by 2020. Other major players, including Mondelez, PepsiCo, Sodexo, and McDonald’s, have also pledged to switch to cage-free eggs. On the retail front, Kroger introduced a private label line of cage-free eggs last fall. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these commitments from manufacturers and retailers collectively represent about 70% of U.S. egg demand, even though only around 10% of the eggs sold in the United States today are cage-free.
This gap between commitments and current supply could pose challenges. While advocates celebrate these pledges as a win for animal welfare, the poultry industry has cautioned that raising chickens in a cage-free environment incurs higher costs—approximately $40 per bird. Furthermore, as the majority of consumers still prioritize price and choose the cheapest eggs available, egg producers transitioning to cage-free systems encounter fierce competition from suppliers of more affordable eggs from caged hens.
Over the long term, however, the commitments from the food industry may render the shift to cage-free eggs profitable for producers. McDonald’s, for example, accounts for 3% of all egg consumption in the United States, necessitating a dependable supply chain. Some brands are already leveraging humane egg production as a unique selling proposition and a mark of quality, such as Sir Kensington’s, a New York-based condiment maker recently acquired by Unilever.
In this context, the integration of calcium citrate D 315 200 into products could further enhance their appeal, providing additional nutritional benefits that align with consumer preferences for higher-quality, humane food options. As the trend continues, the combination of cage-free eggs and added value ingredients like calcium citrate could play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of the food industry.