World's Largest Food Service Provider Hatches a Cage-Free Egg Policy

Published 12-17-07

Submitted by Humane Society of the United States, The

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - December 17, 2007 - In a landmark move, Compass Group-the world's largest food service provider with 7,500 clients in the United States-has implemented a monumental new policy that will significantly improve the welfare of hundreds of thousands of farm animals each year.

Charlotte-based Compass Group North America is implementing a cage-free shell egg policy. The company is phasing in the policy over the next ninety days, and it will affect about 48 million eggs annually. In addition, the policy requires that all producers supplying the company with cage-free eggs adhere to the standards of the third-party auditing organization Humane Farm Animal Care.

Some of Compass Group's clients include the Hearst Corporation, Microsoft, Sarah Lawrence College, Bard College and Northeastern University.

"Compass Group is committed to ending our use of eggs from caged hens. This is a huge undertaking for our company, but we're proud to be making such a significant contribution to the welfare of farm animals," states Cheryl Queen, Compass Group vice president of corporate communications.

"Compass Group's decision is truly monumental. It gives farm animals reason for hope this holiday season that one of the worst factory farming abuses is on its way out," comments Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "As the largest food-service provider in the world joins the movement away from battery cage eggs, it's clear that this type of intensive confinement has no place in the egg industry's future."

Compass Group has a long history of social responsibility initiatives, including agricultural sustainability, supporting local farms, and reducing the use of antibiotics in animal production.

Facts

U.S. factory farms confine about 280 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, they can't even spread their wings. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live.

There is a snowballing national movement against battery cages. Wolfgang Puck and Ben & Jerry's are ending their use of cage eggs. Burger King, Carl's Jr. and Hardees have begun using cage-free eggs. Several grocery chains, including Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, have stopped selling cage eggs.

While cage-free does not mean cruelty-free, cage-free hens generally have 250-300 percent more space per bird and are able to engage in more of their natural behaviors than are caged hens. Cage-free hens may not be able to go outside, but they are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests-all behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.

Timeline

August 2007-Hardee's and Carl's Jr. begin phasing in the use of cage-free eggs.

March 2007-Burger King begins phasing in the use of cage-free eggs.

March 2007-Compass group strategic partner Wolfgang Puck announces the implementation of a wide-ranging program to improve animal welfare in his supply chain, including not using battery cage eggs.

October 2005-Compass Group operating company Bon Appétit Management Company begins phasing out the use of eggs from caged hens in all of its 400 cafés.

May 2005-Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace announce that they have ended sales of eggs from caged hens.

November 2003-The Better Business Bureau rules that it is misleading to label eggs from battery-caged hens as "Animal Care Certified."

2000-2002-McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's require that their meat and egg suppliers abide by very modest animal welfare standards.

About The Humane Society of the United States

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization "“ backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.

About Compass Group

Charlotte-based Compass Group, North America is the leading food management company with more than $8.8 billion in revenues. Its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC, was ranked the 13th largest employer by Fortune magazine in 2007. It has worldwide revenues of $20.2 billion. www.cgnad.com

World's Largest Food Service Provider Hatches a Cage-Free Egg Policy

World's Largest Food Service Provider Hatches a Cage-Free Egg Policy

Humane Society of the United States, The

Humane Society of the United States, The

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