TL;DR:
- McDonald’s Corp. has successfully transitioned to 100% cage-free eggs in the United States, reaching this milestone two years earlier than planned.
- The achievement was made possible through collaboration with suppliers like Cargill and egg producers, alongside efforts to ensure animal welfare and sustainable practices.
In a significant step towards sustainable and ethical sourcing, McDonald’s Corp. announced on February 6th that it has met its target of sourcing entirely cage-free eggs across the United States, surpassing its original timeline by two years. This initiative, first pledged in 2015, underscores the fast-food giant’s commitment to animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
Bob Stewart, McDonald’s Senior Vice President of North America and Chief Supply Chain Officer, highlighted the collaborative effort behind this achievement.
The transition was made possible by the unified efforts of McDonald’s owner/operators, Cargill, their egg producers, and the entire supply chain. Stewart expressed pride in the positive impact this move would have on promoting a more sustainable future.
The company detailed that the transition to cage-free eggs involved creating environments that allow hens to exhibit natural behaviours, with provisions for perches, scratch areas, and nests. Additionally, each participating egg farm is required to have an attending veterinarian to ensure the birds receive high-quality care.
McDonald’s partnership with suppliers like Forsman Farms, a fourth-generation family business in Minnesota, and Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch in Michigan, has been pivotal.
These suppliers faced significant challenges in adapting to cage-free systems, with McDonald’s and Cargill providing essential support throughout the transition. The collaboration extended to working with animal welfare experts and academics to assist egg producers in building and renovating farms with new technology.
This milestone not only represents McDonald’s dedication to improving animal welfare but also sets a precedent for the industry, encouraging other companies to follow suit in adopting more sustainable and ethical practices.
