Unilever has come under fire for abandoning two key global animal welfare commitments, including a pledge to source only cage-free eggs worldwide.
Compassion in World Farming said it was “deeply disappointing” for one of the world’s largest food manufacturers to backtrack from the commitments it first made in 2018.
The charity warned that the decision risks keeping chickens in cages and preventing them from expressing their natural behaviors, and could slow progress towards higher welfare systems across international supply chains.
The group said Unilever had reached a global cage-free adoption rate of 68% before changing direction.
The company has since gone completely cage-free in Europe and North America, but Compassion in World Agriculture stressed that this pledge is global in scope and should not be limited to any particular region.
Campaigners said consumers trusted the company to keep its promises as cage-free production continued to expand, particularly in emerging markets.
The majority of egg production in the UK is already cage-free, and following years of pressure from retailers and consumers, the majority of laying hens are either free-range or kept in barns. Activists argue that the global shift away from cages reflects a broader shift in market expectations.
The group cited Thailand as an example, noting that almost 70% of hotels in the country require cage-free eggs.
The exit adds to a growing industry consensus that caged systems are becoming obsolete, and Unilever argued it is now lagging behind.
The charity also highlighted Unilever’s historic role in promoting cage-free production, saying the company sparked the movement with its 2008 Hellmann’s Good Egg Award.
Concerns were also raised over Unilever’s decision to abandon its Better Chicken Commitment, which set out higher welfare standards for broiler production, including slower-growing breeds and improved housing conditions, as well as eggs.
Compassion in World Farming said progress has been limited across Unilever’s global supply chain, with only 14-20% transition achieved on key farm metrics.
The group warned that withdrawing from the commitment would result in millions of rapidly growing chickens being kept in overcrowded and barren conditions.
The move comes as poultry welfare standards remain under intense scrutiny from consumers, retailers and food companies, with producers often balancing higher welfare requirements against rising input costs and supply pressures.
Unilever said it was facing supply challenges in meeting standards. FarmingUK has contacted the company for further comment.
Activists said pressure would continue to mount on major food buyers to honor their welfare commitments as expectations grow in the UK and abroad about how eggs and poultry are produced.
