Global investigation uncovers widespread abuse in industrial egg farms
Animal welfare activists are claiming the world’s largest investigation into industrialised egg farms has highlighted filthy caged conditions.
The investigation by the Open Wing Alliance – a coalition of nearly 100 organisations established by The Humane League – looked at conditions in 35 countries. It found widespread abuse of egg laying hens trapped in overcrowded cages with evidence of injured birds, rotting carcases and disease-ridden conditions.
Food corporations
While the vast majority of food corporations, such as The Hershey Companby, Hormel Foods and Barilla, agreed to remove cages from their egg supply chains and move to cage-free status, others have been slower to change.
The report said food companies such as Walmart, Zensho Holdings, Aeon and Inspire Brands continued to profit from sourcing eggs from hens in outdated cages, which led the investigation to focus on where these 4 industry leaders procured caged eggs.
Nikki Glaser, comedian and 2025/6 Golden Globe host, said: “From North America to Asia, Europe to Africa, South America to Australia – no country, no company using cages is safe from what we found. It turns out, the price tag is the least shocking thing about eggs.”
“A global crisis”
Ellie Ponders, senior director of Global Corporate Engagement at the Open Wing Alliance, said the investigation had shown not just an animal welfare scandal but a ticking-time bomb for both public health and corporate risk. “Cramming sick, stressed hens into filthy cages is the perfect breeding ground for disease, yet companies like Walmart and Inspire Brands are still clinking to this reckless model.
Ponders added: “And this isn’t an isolated issue – it’s a global crisis. This investigation lays bare the truth: systemic suffering, global inaction and a betrayal of public trust. Investors, regulators and consumers should be asking the same question – how much longer will these corporations gamble with our health and trust?”
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