NCL congratulates HSUS and Burger King on move to cage-free eggs – National Consumers League

April 25, 2012

Contact: NCL Communications, (412) 945-3242, media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC–The National Consumers League (NCL), the oldest consumer advocacy organization in the nation, congratulates the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Burger King for reaching an agreement which would phase out cages in egg production over the next five years.

Research has shown that cage-free eggs have lower rates of foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella and campylobacter. This is due to several factors, including lower levels of stress for laying hens. “Consumers demand the highest levels of food safety available,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL’s executive director.

“Increasingly research is showing that cage-free is the best way to go,” said Teresa Green, the Linda Golodner Food Safety and Nutrition Fellow at NCL.

While Burger King has shown leadership on this issue, there are still many companies that have not switched to cage free-eggs. NCL urges these companies to follow the research of HSUS and leadership of Burger King on this issue and to consider switching methods of production. “All companies should work to make food as safe for consumers as possible,” added Greenberg.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.