Heinz has swapped free-range eggs for cage-free eggs in its Seriously Good Mayonnaise recipe.
The supplier quietly announced the switch to lower-welfare ingredients on its website in March, but did not share the change on social media.
Heinz claimed the move was driven by bird flu disrupting supply and putting more hens inside, thereby limiting access to free-range options. However under government rules, eggs can continue to be labelled free-range during mandatory housing measures.
On its website, Heinz said: “Due to increased outbreaks of avian flu across Europe, free-range hens are increasingly placed inside barns in order to curb further spread. As a result, we are unable to source free-range eggs at the scale we require.”
The ingredient change appeared on shelves in May, but some stores made the change in June, according to Assosia data.
The egg transition has drawn criticism from animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming, who said bird flu should not be used as a reason to move away from free-range to lower-cost barn production.
“Temporary housing measures protect free-range flocks during periods of heightened avian influenza risk, and existing regulations allow eggs to retain their free-range status on egg labelling when hens are housed indoors for limited periods of time,” a spokesperson told The Grocer.
“Rather than abandoning free-range systems, Heinz should focus on supporting free-range producers and maintaining higher-welfare standards during periods of mandatory confinement.”
When approached by The Grocer, a spokesperson from Kraft Heinz said: “The industry has faced persistent challenges from avian flu over the past several years. To protect our supply and ensure we can deliver the products consumers love, we made the decision in March to begin transitioning to cage-free eggs that meet barn egg standards set by the EU Council Directive on the welfare of laying hens. This enables us to continue making accessible products while avoiding any further disruption to supply.”
Heinz has not responded to a request for comment on whether it intends to return to free-range eggs, despite the mandatory housing order in England being lifted.
For other organisations it raises questions over broader welfare challenges. Laura Hellwig, MD of vegan charity Viva, added: “Heinz already makes an excellent plant-based version of its Seriously Good Mayonnaise, and countless other egg-free condiments from other brands also exist.
“Anyone concerned about the devastation avian influenza is wreaking on domestic and wild birds, as well as the global health threat it presents, should consider removing eggs and poultry from their baskets altogether. Switching from ‘this egg’ to ‘that egg’ won’t solve the crisis – but opting out of financing it by choosing alternatives just might.”
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