Woolworths has confirmed it will no longer stock a staple buy across all its stores.
The supermarket giant has decided to phase out cage eggs across all of its 2246 stores.
Woolworths stopped selling cage eggs under its own brand in 2015 but now plans to phase out cage eggs from suppliers.
Cage eggs are generally cheaper than free range or barn eggs, but free range have grown steadily in popularity since they were introduced into supermarkets.
According to 7News, a Woolworths spokesperson said the decision was a follow-through on plans announced in 2013.
“We’re working closely with our suppliers to gradually phase-out cage eggs from all the brands we sell by 2025, we know many retailers and hospitality operators are moving in a similar direction,” the spokesperson said.
“We understand a change like this takes time, and that’s why we’ve consulted with our suppliers to ensure they have sufficient time to make changes to their production methods.
“Across the market, in both retail and hospitality, egg supply has been reduced over the last 18 months due to a range of factors, including weather on-farm and input costs.”
There has been no announcement about barn-laid eggs being phased out.
In its animal welfare policy Woolworths stated that the company recognised that animals were “sentient beings and should experience positive health and wellbeing”.
Woolworths stated that the five freedoms that drive its animal welfare policy are freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury and disease, freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from fear and distress.
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Do you buy cage eggs or free range eggs? Will this decision change your mind about where you shop?Why not share your opinion in the comments section below?
Also read: So many eggs, which ones should you choose?