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Suffering sells, and Ahold Delhaize is cashing in. In 2016 Ahold Delhaize—the fourth-largest retailer in the United States—committed to transitioning to 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. The company has since deferred their pledge to 2032. Hens can’t wait another seven years—urge Ahold Delhaize to take action now!
Caged Cruelty
Welfare scientists and other experts agree: Hens in cages suffer immensely! These birds are denied the ability to fully express many natural behaviors, such as running, jumping, or wing-flapping. They endure unimaginable physical and psychological trauma, suffering from foot lesions, bone loss, chronic stress, and more.
No hen should endure life in a cramped wire cage—without room to walk more than a few steps or spread her wings.
Minimal Progress
Since pledging to go cage-free by 2025, Ahold Delhaize had only a 1% cage-free increase in their own brand of shell eggs from 2022 to 2023. Apparently animal welfare is not a priority for them—profits are.
In their latest sustainability report, the company shared that they would not meet their original goal of going cage-free by 2025 but did not state a new deadline. More recently, Ahold announced they would defer their deadline for transitioning to cage-free eggs to 2032, seven years later than the original one.
While headquartered in the Netherlands, Ahold has several chains in the United States, including Stop & Shop, Hannaford, Food Lion, The Giant Company, and Giant.
Take Action
Chickens are incredible individuals with unique personalities and complex relationships. They can empathize with peers in danger and use their experiences to inform decision-making. These birds are also very intelligent and able to understand that recently hidden objects still exist—this is beyond the capability of a two-year-old child!
Tell Ahold Delhaize: Empty cages, not empty promises! Urge the company to follow through on their abandoned pledge to go cage-free by 2025!