Iceland Foods has reinstated its commitment to go cage-free across its egg supply chain, with the deadline of June 2027.
The supermarket had reneged on its previous commitment to go cage-free by 2025, citing supply chain disruption and the cost of living crisis making it unachievable.
Aldi, M&S, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons have already transitioned to fully cage-free eggs across their whole egg offers, with all other supermarkets committing to reaching this target by the end of the year.
Iceland said the new decision built on the recent launch of its RSPCA Assured barn egg pilot across 35 stores, which expanded the range of welfare options available, including existing free-range lines.
“We’ve always been honest about the challenge of balancing improved animal welfare with the urgent need to help families through the cost of living crisis,” said Stuart Lendrum, director of product, process and sustainability at Iceland Foods. “That’s why we never stopped offering free-range eggs, and why we introduced barn eggs as an affordable additional higher welfare option.”
The new 2027 timetable reflects the supermarket’s “long-term goal to offer only cage-free eggs while protecting access to quality food for families”.
Lendrum explained that Iceland had worked with its suppliers and the new goal was “the right route to protect both affordable choice and welfare and reflects our ‘Doing it Right’ commitment”.
Iceland is currently the fourth largest retailer of caged eggs in the UK. Sales of these products had declined by almost 15% in the past year, it said.
The transition to 2027 will be supported by the rollout of an affordable higher-welfare barn egg option to all Iceland stores by January 2026.
Iceland had been heavily criticised by animal rights campaigners over the decision to cancel its commitment, with The Humane League describing it as “phenomenally short-sighted” in May.
Actor Joanna Lumley has also fronted a petition with the charity, demanding Iceland keep its cage-free promise.
“I believe that the British public are committed to seeing farmed animals treated with kindness and decency,” said Lumley. “However, there is no better symbol of cruelty to farmed animals than a hen in a cage.”
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