US egg trade association United Egg Producers has criticised Wild Oats Markets’ decision to sell only cage-free eggs. Consumers are losing their freedom of choice and shoppers at Wild Oats will be forced to pay an extra $1m annually for eggs it said.
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“Cage free eggs are sold at twice the price of regular eggs and are much more profitable for retailers,” said Gene Gregory, vice president for United Egg Producers.
“Wild Oats’ decision may be based more on profit motives than on concerns about hens.”
Consumers who want to be free to make their own purchasing decisions about the kinds of eggs they prefer or who want more competitive prices may want to shop at other grocery stores, he added.
There are no science-based guidelines for cage free production, and many cage free hens are subject to more diseases, predators and weather, Gregory said.
The United Egg Producers have written to Wild Oats Markets president and CEO Perry Odak protesting their decision and requesting a meeting to provide him with scientific materials about the Animal Care Certified programme, Gregory said. “We’re disappointed Wild Oats made this decision unilaterally without engaging our industry association or some of the scientific animal welfare experts who are most knowledgeable about this issue. Rather they have relied on an animal activist campaign manager who does not even eat eggs.”
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