Asda has hit its target to stock only cage-free eggs in its own-label range, as part of a raft of animal welfare commitments.
All Asda own-brand shell eggs are now produced in cage-free systems, with other own-label products containing eggs also only using cage-free eggs as ingredients.
This fulfils commitments made in 2016 and 2019 but, unlike its some of its competitors, the retailer has not outlined any similar commitment for branded eggs.
The move comes following the government announcing its plan to phase out the use of cages for all laying hens by 2032 pending consultation from industry.
Read more: The cage conundrum: trends in eggs 2026
In another animal welfare update, the mult announced its aim for all farmed prawns used in Asda products to be from ablation-free broodstock by 2027. The controversial practice involves cutting off the eyestalks of female prawns to stimulate reproduction.
Similar commitments have already been made by Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Ocado, Waitrose, Co-op, Morrisons, and Iceland.
Aldi’s suppliers have also committed to ablation-free methods. Meanwhile, Lidl is the initator of a pilot project, initatied in January 2026, that aims to improve welfare standards for shrimp including policies on ablation and low-stress killing methods.
Asda’s move was praised by the International Council for Animal Welfare (ICAW), which called on the German discounters to “catch up and ban these cruel practices”.
“With Asda’s move, prawn welfare is now an industry standard across the UK,” said Justine Audemard, head of negotiations at ICAW. “It’s encouraging to see how quickly the sector can change once customers make their voices heard.”
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