we’re here to unscramble the egg
Some certifications use the phrase ‘cage-free.’
We defined it.
There are several certifications under which eggs can be certified as cage-free. While we’d rather see hen welfare certified by our peers than not certified at all, we are uniquely qualified to make our partners’ lives easier. We set the highest hen welfare standards and have been doing this a lot longer than anyone else. But, to help you make up your own mind, here’s a little background on cage-free egg certifications: how we got here and how to choose which one is best for you.
In the last few years, we’ve experienced a cultural growth spurt in our collective awareness around food. We’ve become more conscious about what we eat and more curious about how it aligns with our values — or doesn’t.
This increased consumer awareness has driven a shift towards cage-free egg production. Both local and national regulations play a critical role in shaping how cage-free eggs are produced, labeled, marketed, and sold. Understanding these regulations is essential for producers, retailers, and consumers.
To learn more about regulations that could affect you, click here.
Not all cage-free egg certifications are created equal. Ours is based on science, not sentimentality. While peer certifications use fuzzy phrases and feel-good pictures, we’re focused on improving the lives of hens by pushing the science of animal welfare forward with guidance from an independent Scientific Advisory Committee. With growing calls for cage-free commitments, it is imperative that retailers and consumers familiarize themselves with certification standards. Here are ours.
It’s simple. Ask yourself a couple of questions. What are the standards and how are they enforced? UEP Certified Cage-Free guidelines were established by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee nearly 20 years ago. They’ve evolved along with the committee’s findings and the science of hen welfare. While some peer certifications allow members to forego audits, UEP Certified utilizes annual third-party audits and ensures that a zero-tolerance policy for willful abuse is strictly enforced.
Investing in cage-free housing, ensuring effective flock management, and adapting to evolving market dynamics and regulations are crucial for maintaining a consistent, reliable supply of cage-free eggs. But strong partnerships between suppliers and retailers are equally essential for providing the world’s most nutritious and popular protein to millions of egg-loving consumers.
