McDonald's Corporation announced that it now sources eggs only from cage-free flocks.  This is consistent with a commitment made in 2015 with an intended transition over a ten-year period.  According to industry sources, Cargill is the major supplier of egg products to the QSR chain that serves two billion eggs each year.  This represents the output of 6.8 million hens applying standard production perimeters.

The transition from conventional cages has required conversion of cage-free facilities to alternative housing including aviaries and barns involving capital expenditure by producers.  It is understood that Cargill provided financing and long-term contracts to facilitate the transition.

The additional cost for welfare has evidently been passed on to McDonald’s customers. In the recent investors’ call following release of FY 2023 financials, Chris Kempczinski, the CEO commented on the high cost of menu items was deterring purchase of meals by their low-income demographic in favor of home preparation and consumption of food. The connection is self- evident and should serve as a caution to decision makers in the food industry against responding to coercion by animal rights organizations that are adept at spending other peoples money.