I was in Coles today, picking up some eggs for tomorrow's show, and while I was standing in front of the vast display of a variety of eggs it was fascinating to watch people actively seek out free range eggs instead of cage eggs.
Everyone wanted to do the right thing despite the manufacturer's various attempts to deceive them with clever packaging.
On many of the egg cartons the words 'Cage Eggs' was in a color just slightly darker or lighter than the background, so it was very difficult to notice.
In one brand of eggs there is a huge block of text declaring how environmentally friendly they are. On closer investigation you discover it's the package that's biodegradable, the eggs are cage eggs, though the words are very hard to see on the carton because of the font colour.
I'll give Coles full credit because they write the words 'Cage Eggs' in big, bold font on their cartons. The only thing is, as one shopper told me, they keep putting the price of the free range eggs up every week.
There's also a brand which advertises as cage free. Confusing term and I assume it's somewhere between free range and caged, maybe barn laid? Maybe someone can clear this up for me.
Anyway, it is very encouraging that people are becoming more and more aware of the cruel conditions under which their food is often produced, and trying to do the right thing, but there is still a long way to go.
According to the Australian Hen Welfare Advisory Group, 80% of the eggs purchased in Australia are cage eggs and only 15% are free range. Price wise, 700g cage eggs = $2.59/carton, and 660g free range eggs = $5.59/carton.
It's very important that everyone takes a moment to click on this link before they next go shopping.
And if you'd like to take action, go here.
