Humane Society Files FTC Complaint on Chicken Welfare in Egg Production

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has reportedly filed
a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging the
agency to investigate Natural Pasteurized Eggs, producer of Davidson’s
eggs, because the company allegedly keeps its “birds permanently locked
in cages so tightly they can’t even spread their wings.”

HSUS argues the packaging of Davidson’s eggs misleads consumers
by featuring “lush open pastures, a red barn and free-roaming hens”
even though those hens “never feel sunlight nor touch a blade of grass.”
Further, HSUS asserts that the company “claims its process ‘eliminates
the risk of Salmonella’ from eggs even though caged hens are more likely
to spread infection and disease.” According to the Chicago Tribune, FTC
has not taken action on a complaint related to egg marketing since 1996.
See HSUS Press Release and Chicago Tribune, October 14, 2016.

Issue 620