Costco Transitioning to Cage Free Eggs Globally
Costco Wholesale has announced the company will be adopting a new animal welfare policy banning cages for animals in its egg supply chain in the face of criticism- but could the decision also help to lower the risk of salmonella contamination? Costco Wholesale is already in the process of transitioning to cage-free eggs internationally and is the first U.S. retailer to adopt a global policy banning the confinement of animals in cages. While Costco Wholesale adopted a cage-free egg policy to supply Western countries’ stores back in 2015, the retailer has continued to sell caged eggs in Asia all the while. Animal welfare aside, the European Food Safety Authority has reported that caged egg farms report higher levels of salmonella contamination than when compared to cage-free farms.
Costco Wholesale has since issued an updated animal welfare policy and noted that, in addition to cruelty concerns, the retail chain’s failure to ensure animal welfare could potentially harm the business and its investors in the long run. China Food Safety News recently reported that after the Lunar New Year in 2021, a new non-caged farm would open in Nantong, Jiangsu to meet the new supply requirements of Costco Wholesale. The facility will be able to hold 50,000 laying hens in environments where they will be able to roam, nest, and lay in cage-free privacy. Huang Muci, project manager of Lever China Alternative Protein Fund, added that “many journal studies have shown that non-caged eggs have higher value in terms of safety and quality”. While several studies have found this claim to be true there are also several studies reporting little to no difference in salmonella contamination rates between caged and cage-free eggs. Some evidence to support the claim, however, can definitely be contributed in part to overall higher standards of living and sanitation for egg-laying hens.
National Salmonella lawyer Ron Simon is optimistic about what a cage-free Costco could mean for customers and the retailer alike, but reminds consumers to always be aware of proper food safety procedures and protocol. “While some studies have shown that cage-free eggs are at lower contamination rates that does not mean they are exempt. It is important to be aware of food safety at all times, familiarize yourselves with symptoms, and stay aware of any contamination announcements or recalls in regards to the products you purchase.”
Salmonella is a bacteria group responsible for the gastrointestinal illness called salmonellosis when contaminated foods are consumed. Common symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, diarrhea, dehydration, cramping, headaches, lethargy, and in severe cases presence of blood in urine or stool. The CDC reports that individuals who get ill from salmonella contamination begin to develop symptoms six hours to six days after infection and can last anywhere from four to seven days on average. Any consumers who experience salmonellosis symptoms or are exposed to food contaminated with salmonella are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/news/2020/12/costco-making-transition-to-cage-free-egg-policy
