Consumers urged giant markets in the Philippines on Tuesday 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.

The 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.

“These systems are not only deeply inhumane. They also threaten public health,” Taborosi alerted.

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 food-borne illnesses that are increasingly difficult to treat.

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

With that, over 30 countries have banned or are phasing out battery cages, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, India and several states in the United States.

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

“Customers deserve food that is not only safe but also ethically sourced,” Taborosi added.