WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Humane Society of the United States is urging McDonald's shareholders to vote for the chain to switch to using cage-free eggs. A representative of The HSUS will present the resolution at the company's May shareholder meeting in Oak Brook, Ill.
According to the press release, McDonald's USA uses eggs from hens confined in 72-inch battery cages. McDonald's closest U.S. competitor, Burger King, started using cage-free eggs two years ago. Restaurants such as Quiznos, Hardee's and Carl's Jr. also use cage-free eggs. McDonald's exclusive use of eggs from caged hens in the United States starkly contrasts with its European policies. McDonald's U.K. locations use only cage-free eggs, and the company has committed to phasing out all battery-cage whole eggs in its European Union locations by 2010.
Chicago Business reports that the Humane Society is not asking McDonald's to start using only cage-free eggs immediately but to start working with suppliers to make the switch, as the company did in 1999 when it began asking egg vendors to switch to 72-inch cages for hens vs. 48-inch ones. A Humane Society spokesman said the cost of purchasing a dozen cage-free eggs is 11.75 cents more than the price of a dozen regular eggs, according to a 2005 study conducted by a poultry specialist at the University of California at Riverside.
