Walmart will sell completely cage-free eggs in all of its stores within the next 10 years in a move meant to improve the welfare of the hens used by its suppliers, the company said Tuesday.
The retail chain said in a news release that it plans to transition its entire supply by 2025 while “maintaining the affordable prices that customers expect,” although it’s unclear if costs will remain the same. The development, which also affects Walmart-operated Sam’s Club retail warehouses, comes on the heels of Walmart’s previous commitment to new animal welfare positions.
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Walmart will require all of its shell egg suppliers to be certified and fully compliant with United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines while urging suppliers to use breeding practices that improve the health of hens. Kathleen McLaughlin, chief sustainability officer at Walmart, said in a statement that the decision helps give customers “transparency into how their food is grown and raised.”
Walmart began offering customers the option of cage-free eggs in its U.S. stores in 2001.
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