Trader Joe's to Stop Selling Caged Eggs

The Humane Society is declaring victory in a campaign to get Trader Joe's to stop selling eggs from caged chickens.

"While Trader Joe's did stop short of adopting a total cage-free egg policy, the company proved to us that it is serious about improving the lives of laying hens," said The HSUS's Pacelle. "We understand that sometimes change happens a step at a time, and we applaud Trader Joe's for making this strong move."

Interesting tidbit about the huge volume of products that Trader Joe's moves: "Presently, the company sells more than 100 million Trader Joe's brand battery cage eggs per year, meaning that the company's new policy could benefit an estimated 380,000 birds."

Trader Joe's has issued a brief statement about this.

A Note about Eggs:

Over the past few months we have been listening to what our customers tell us about the choices we give them, specifically about their choices related to eggs. For more than a decade, Trader Joe's has offered the choice of eggs, cage-free and conventional, in a variety of sizes, brands and packages. We heard this was confusing. In order to give our customers a clear choice when it comes to the eggs they want to purchase, and to develop a consistent approach to eggs in all Trader Joe's across the country, we have decided to make a change.

By February 1, 2006, all eggs in Trader Joe's private label will be from cage-free hens. This includes by definition eggs certified as organic, and eggs from free-range hens. Customers looking for cage-free eggs will need to look no further than the Trader Joe's label. All conventional eggs sold at Trader Joe's will be in a brand name carton, not under the Trader Joe's label.

We expect this change will help further boost the proportion of sales of cage-free eggs at Trader Joe's. It is our  hope that this change will help our customers in their egg purchasing decisions.

   

Comments

[Dee Fremont]

Thank you, Thank you for going cage free, you have received 79% of our business now you will get 95%.
I already tell most everyone to shop there now I will try to tell everybody.
I thank you and the hens that suffer thank you more.
Dee Fremont Oceanside Ca.

[James Ferguson]

How do you think you can get eggs that are 99 cents and $1.29 a dozen. Because they are caged. I shop at Trader Joes and its not like they dont sell eggs that are cage free. They sell both so you have a choice. There are more important things in life to worry about than whether or not Trader Joes sells cage free eggs.

[Violet Weed]

Cage-free hens. What are you, people, stupid? Have you ever been to a farm where animals are considered 'product'? Just what difference do you think there is in 'cage-free' or 'caged' hens? I was raised on an organic farm in the 50s in the Niagara Peninsula and FYI unless the hens are 'free-roaming' with a lot of land to wander around, even if they are 'cage-free' they are just crowded into a big area that has grates... they lay their eggs where they 'stand' and the eggs roll down under the grates. But the HENS are crowded in so they can hardly move and they are also de-beaked so as not to peck each other to death which, oddly enough (she says sarcastically) is what birds do when they are crowded together. Eggs and chicken meat are 'products' that earn MONEY for the [usually corporate] farmers. If the farmers cared about chickens, they'd have 5-10 that they raised for the eggs, and ... oh but what happens when an old hen can't lay eggs anymore? STEWPOT. Get real! Unless you have been raised on a farm, you are wasting your sentimentality and 'concern' on egg layers. Stop your pretensions! If you REALLY care, then do NOT eat eggs OR chicken meat. Otherwise, admit your hypocrisy. And sodd off to the 'humane society'. I spent a summer working for that organization. 'Humane' is not a word I'd use for that 'society'. BUSINESS is the word. BUSINESS folks, not 'concern'. PETA has more concern, even though they are now a BUSINESS too, so full of hypocrisy.
Bah humbug. You fakers.

[gigwriter]

violet weed is correct. take one look on youtube at a "cage free organic" farm & you will see that these hens also suffer terribly. i was shocked and i am now egg free. unless i get one from someone's pet who pops one out and lives a great life, eggs are off my plate.

[James]

It is amazing the information Violet Weed has provided. I stand behind Violet 100%. I buy my free range eggs at Trader Joe's. Recently, there has been a change and they've added a new set of free range eggs with Omega 3's. I AM CONCERNED HOWEVER THAT IT CLEARLY SAYS THAT THEY ARE FED CORN, SOY, AND FLAXSEED. Just when I thought my eggs were worth it. We must do something about this.

James

[sarah]

I'd like to see Trader Joes work with the animal welfare approved label, so i know what chickens life is like.

I love trader joes, but one can't really know with just "free range" how those chickens live.

[Earle]

What a joke...just because it says cage free does not mean you are purchasing eggs from chickens that have been roaming a grassy field in a pretty setting eating worms and ticks. Cage free birds are still living in close quarters in sheds on gravel and dirt being fed feed. There are no regulations set on this industry when it comes to "organic" and "cage free". What a label says does not mean what it is. You personally would have to go to a organic cage free farmer to purchase these kinds of eggs on your own, there is no possible way there are enough farmers out there to supply Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, and the local grocery stores with truly organic cage free eggs. Do your research people. This industry has found a way to rip you off. If it makes you feel better to spend twice as much for an egg so be it, you're not doing yourself any favors.