Eggs from hens that have never been outside could legally be labelled free range
People who only buy free range eggs might not be able to tell if they are free range or not soon…
The law has changed. We are currently experiencing a national bird flu outbreak and if it gets worse, a compulsory housing order could be put on all poultry, meaning that all farmed chickens, turkeys, ducks and other captive birds will have to be kept indoors. This has happened twice in recent years, both times the housing order lasted longer than five months.
Previously, farmers who keep free range egg-laying hens were given a 16-week grace period during which they were permitted to still sell eggs labelled ‘free range’ even though the hens were confined in barns. After that, they were required to label them as barn eggs – some did, some didn’t!
In January this year, the law changed extending the grace period indefinitely. So, if there is a housing order again, which is likely, and it goes on for months, as previous ones have, eggs can be labelled free range, even though the hens may have never been outdoors.
You don’t need eggs in a healthy diet and egg consumption has been linked to heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes and food poisoning. Cutting eggs out of your diet can only benefit your health so why wait?
There are many healthy alternatives to eggs, see our Vegan Egg Replacers chart for ideas.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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