Culture

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Global Consumers and Animals Deserve Better

Asia is home to approximately 70% of the world’s egg-laying hens. Unfortunately, more of these hens are suffering than in other countries. Only 10% of Asia’s flocks are cage-free. The rest endure life packed so tightly into cages that they cannot spread their wings or engage in natural behaviors like nesting, causing constant pain and stress. This inhumane treatment is contrary to what Asian consumers want. A 2022 study found that an average of 86% of consumers in eight countries in the region express significant concern for farmed animal welfare, demonstrating a clear demand for better practices.

So why aren’t companies like Kewpie Corporation, which uses an estimated 10% of all eggs procured in Japan, removing cages from its egg supply chains in Japan? Kewpie Corporation ranks second worldwide for the highest egg usage in emerging markets and claims it “aims to be a group contributing to the food, culture, and health of the world through ‘great taste, empathy, and uniqueness.’” However, this declaration starkly contrasts with its outdated and unethical animal welfare practices.

The transition to cage-free environments also has implications for human health. Research points to extreme confinement in industrial farming as one of the main contributors to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Overcrowded and poorly ventilated conditions foster the spread of pathogens among animals, while chronic stress and weakened immune systems make animals more susceptible to infections. In caged systems, stress and poor health of hens can lead to the spread of pathogens like Salmonella, posing a direct threat to human health.

Despite its commitments to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in the United States and Europe, Kewpie fails to extend the same standard to its major market in Asia and even promotes the practice of caging hens to consumers there. This discrepancy highlights a troubling inconsistency: Kewpie’s global consumers are not treated equally. Worse, it perpetuates the cruel confinement of egg-laying hens.

Nearly 2,600 public commitments have been made by food corporations around the world to remove cages from their egg supply chains. Of these pledges, 1,199 food companies, including restaurants, retailers, and manufacturers, have completed the transition to cage-free facilities. Multinational corporations, such as Yum! Brands, Jollibee, Unilever, Toridoll, RBI, and CKE Restaurants, have already made global cage-free commitments. Despite significant progress, approximately 4 billion hens are still confined in cages worldwide. A commitment from Kewpie could catalyze a significant shift in the region, encouraging other companies to follow suit.

Kewpie Corporation has an opportunity to be a leader in the global movement towards ethical and sustainable food production. By committing to sourcing cage-free eggs in all markets worldwide, Kewpie can enhance its reputation, meet consumer demand for ethical products, and improve the welfare of egg-laying hens.

It’s time for Kewpie to live up to its values of “great taste, empathy, and uniqueness” by making a global commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs. All consumers deserve the right to make ethical food choices, and all egg-laying hens deserve to live free from the cruelty of confinement.

The Open Wing Alliance (OWA), a global coalition of 95 organizations in 75 countries, along with over 42,000 consumers, calls on Kewpie Corporation to source cage-free eggs in all markets worldwide.