Group eyes cage-free tracker in October

An advocacy group plans to launch a “cage-free tracker” in October to monitor multinational corporations’ adherence to commitments for transitioning to cage-free egg sourcing.

This comes after the Philippines Initiative for Accountability (PIA) — citing findings from a nonprofit think tank — said 83 percent of Filipino consumers want food companies to source eggs from cage-free environments, and 95 percent believe hens should not be kept in cages.

“Filipino consumers are being left behind in a time when they deserve transparency,” said PIA program manager Nancy Samonte. “It’s not enough to make promises abroad and hide behind silence locally. We call on local authorities to take action to protect our Filipino consumers.”

Cage-free systems are globally recognized as a more humane standard for animal welfare. Unlike battery cages, these systems allow hens to move freely and exhibit natural behaviors like perching, nesting, and dust bathing, significantly reducing their time in pain. PIA noted that local egg producers are already supplying cage-free eggs.

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

This issue is particularly pressing in the Philippines, where public health experts have raised 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 a growing risk of food-borne illnesses that are increasingly difficult to treat.

Philippine-headquartered companies have made cage-free sourcing commitments, as fastfood giant Jollibee pledged to transition to 100 percent cage-free eggs in the United States by 2025 and globally by 2035, a move that could spare millions of hens from cruel cages.

However, despite progress from local producers, multinational companies operating in the Philippines have yet to demonstrate similar urgency and transparency. Many remain vague or silent about their progress within the Philippine market, despite high-profile global pledges.

“Our consumers already buy into global brands that market themselves as ethical and sustainable,” Samonte said. “If those same brands are charging premium prices locally while cutting corners on animal welfare they follow elsewhere, then we are being lied to.”

The PIA plans to engage government agencies to align cage-free efforts with environmental, social and governance and food sustainability frameworks. The group is also in active dialogue with major brands, urging them to publish local transition plans that match their global standards.