Krispy Kreme is transitioning to cage-free eggs for all its products
By Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Fans of Krispy Kreme can enjoy their favorite guilty pleasure a little more, thanks to an announcement that the company will transition to sourcing cage-free eggs.
The shift is good news for egg-laying hens and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which last year sent one its employees to Krispy Kreme's annual shareholder meetings to ask the doughnut king to improve its food supply chain. The HSUS had already purchased Krispy Kreme stock in 2010 as a move to encourage the North Carolina-based company to move away from egg suppliers that confine hens in battery cages or other inhumane conditions. At the time Krispy Kreme's management claimed it would consider purchasing some cage-free eggs in 2012, but had no plan.
Now the company has implemented a cage-free eggs plan, and HSUS Corporate Policy and Supply Chain Manager Kristie Middleton will was addressing Krispy Kreme's shareholders in Winston-Salem on June 14 to thank the company for making the switch. According to Middleton: “Krispy Kreme doughnuts now come with a little less guilt, since some of the eggs they use will be from hens who at least haven't been crammed into cages. Consumers care about animal welfare more than ever, and we’re pleased to see Krispy Kreme joining the dozens of major companies that are taking notice of that. We believe the company is genuinely interested in doing the right thing when it comes to animal welfare.”
Consumer please note, however, that cage-free does not, necessarily, mean free range eggs. It means simply that it is eggs from hens that are not kept in battery cages.
The statement from the HSUS sucks a little, I would say, when they claim that they bought stocks in the company in order to persuade them to change their purchasing habits. They bought stocks in the company because they bring a good return. Let's call a spade a spade, people. Greenwash remains greenwash even if.
© 2011
