Groups urge giant markets to drop cage eggs

Consumers urged on Tuesday, 8 July, giant markets in the Philippines to phase out battery cage eggs, citing food safety and humane consumption.

This after non-profit organization promoting animal welfare and consumer protection Equitas Global revealed an investigation involving a Taguig-based manufacturer that supplies eggs to a local mall giant and bakery chain.

Footage revealed hens confined in overcrowded, unsanitary cages, many showing signs of distress, feather loss, and untreated injuries.

Dana Taborosi, campaign manager at Equitas Global, warned that these conditions not only raise serious animal welfare concerns but also pose significant food safety risks.

Salmonella and public health risks

Eggs from battery cage systems have been repeatedly linked to contamination. Global studies show that caged egg farms carry up to 33 times higher risk of salmonella infection compared to cage-free systems.

The issue is especially pressing in the Philippines, where public health experts are raising alarms over multidrug-resistant salmonella. A recent study by the University of the Philippines Diliman–Institute of Biology identified these drug-resistant pathogens in chicken sold in local markets, highlighting the growing risk of foodborne illnesses that are increasingly difficult to treat.

In 2024, the Department of Science and Technology reported a 42% increase in salmonella cases, pointing to poor handling and contaminated production environments—including those for eggs and poultry—as contributing factors.

More than 30 countries have banned or are phasing out battery cages, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, India, and several U.S. states.

In the Philippines, some brands have already committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs.