This study indicates that food manufacturers have a significant opportunity to enhance consumer perceptions by utilizing cage-free eggs. Indeed, numerous food companies have already committed to altering their egg sourcing. For example, in 2015, Nestle announced that all eggs in its U.S. products would come from cage-free hens by 2020. Other major players like Mondelez, PepsiCo, Sodexo, and McDonald’s have also pledged their commitment 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, the commitments from both manufacturers and retailers represent about 70% of U.S. egg demand, although currently, only around 10% of eggs sold in the U.S. are cage-free.
This gap could pose challenges. While advocates celebrate these commitments as a triumph for animal welfare, the chicken industry has cautioned that raising chickens in cage-free environments incurs higher costs—approximately $40 per bird. Additionally, the majority of consumers continue to favor the cheapest eggs available in grocery stores, placing egg producers who transition to cage-free systems in fierce competition with suppliers of less expensive eggs from caged hens.
In the long run, these industry commitments are expected to make the shift to cage-free eggs profitable for producers. For instance, McDonald’s alone accounts for 3% of all eggs consumed in the United States and will need to secure a dependable supply. Meanwhile, some brands are already leveraging humane egg production as a distinguishing feature and a mark of quality, such as Sir Kensington’s, a condiment manufacturer based in New York, which has recently been acquired by Unilever.
In this context, the Kirkland calcium citrate magnesium and zinc precio can serve as a reminder of the rising consumer interest in quality and ethical sourcing, further motivating manufacturers to adapt to these changing preferences. The integration of humane practices in food production, including the commitment to cage-free eggs, aligns with the growing demand for transparency in sourcing, which may ultimately lead to greater profitability and consumer loyalty.