Iceland Trials Barn Eggs Amid Backlash Over Cage Commitment
Iceland has launched a pilot to sell RSPCA Assured barn eggs in 35 of its stores from 3rd July, in a move that marks a significant – albeit tentative – step toward addressing growing concerns over animal welfare.
The initiative arrives after sustained criticism over the retailer’s decision to drop its original pledge to end the sale of eggs from caged hens by the end of 2025.
The frozen food giant said the decision to trial barn eggs forms part of its broader aim to offer a greater range of welfare-conscious options while keeping products affordable for families during the cost-of-living crisis.
According to the company, should the trial prove successful, it will be extended across additional stores nationwide.
Balancing Affordability with Animal Welfare
Commenting on the trial, Iceland’s Director of Product, Process and Sustainability stated that they are pleased to be able to announce this new pilot and hope it proves popular with their customers.
Furthermore, they have faced criticism for continuing to stock eggs from enriched cages, but they have always been honest about their priority – supporting families in being able to put food on the table.
They also went on to add that Iceland, which represents a relatively small share of the United Kingdom egg market, remains committed to giving customers more choice. This new barn egg pilot widens the range of welfare options that they offer – and all at a fair price.
Despite the new initiative, the latest internal data shows that 71% of Iceland’s egg sales in 2023–24 came from caged hens. In stark contrast, retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, M&S, and the Co-op have already gone fully cage-free, while Lidl, Tesco, Morrisons, and Aldi remain on track to eliminate cage-sourced eggs by the end of this year.
Critics Say Too Little, Too Late
The move has done little to placate some of the more vocal animal welfare organisations. The Humane League UK, which has staged protests outside several Iceland stores, remains unimpressed.
Its head of programmes criticised the supermarket’s framing of the pilot, expressing that it’s absurd that Iceland is boasting about trialling cage-free eggs when they were supposed to be completely cage-free by the end of this year. Their animal welfare plans have gone miles backwards, yet they want praise for these baby steps.
The charity went further, alleging that Iceland is charging more for eggs from caged hens – despite the inhumane conditions those hens endure – than other supermarkets are charging for higher welfare alternatives.
They also believe and declared that only by reinstating their cage-free commitment can they redeem this cruelty.
Questions Around the RSPCA Assured Scheme
The RSPCA Assured label, under which the barn eggs in Iceland’s pilot are certified, is also not without its controversies.
The assurance scheme, which promotes higher welfare standards, has recently come under fire following documented animal cruelty cases on certified farms. The fallout from these revelations led to the high-profile resignations of environmentalist Chris Packham and MP Caroline Lucas from their senior advisory roles within the RSPCA.
These revelations have sparked wider debate over the robustness of welfare certification schemes and whether they provide the level of oversight and transparency the public expects.
Conclusion: A Divisive First Step
Iceland’s decision to test the waters with RSPCA Assured barn eggs may offer a glimmer of progress in the ongoing debate over ethical sourcing. But for many critics, the supermarket’s failure to fulfil its original cage-free promise overshadows this latest development.
Caught between affordability and ethics, Iceland’s attempt to walk the line has only highlighted the deepening divide between commercial realities and moral responsibilities. Whether the trial will pave the way for lasting change – or simply stall further scrutiny – remains to be seen.
News Credits: Iceland pilots ‘barn eggs’ amid pressure over caged hen egg sales
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