Omni Hotels Becomes First Hotel Brand to Hatch Cage-Free Egg Policy

WASHINGTON, DC — Omni Hotels has implemented a landmark new policy: the luxury hotel brand will phase in the exclusive use of eggs from cage free hens instead of those confined in battery cages. The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, commended the company for its new policy.

Omni Hotels, based in Irving, Texas, has 40 luxury hotels throughout North America. Each of the company's United States properties will be using eggs from farms that are third-party audited by the nonprofit organization, Humane Farm Animal Care. Omni Hotels will be phasing in the exclusive use of cage free eggs beginning this month as part of its new breakfast program.

"Part of Omni's commitment to bringing guests a truly best-in-class dining experience includes this important decision to purchase cage free eggs," said Fernando Salazar, vice president of food and beverage for Omni Hotels.

Omni Hotels joins a growing number of schools and companies that are moving away from eggs from caged hens. More than 150 schools across the country have enacted policies to eliminate or greatly reduce their use of eggs from caged hens.

In Texas, American Funds Service Company in San Antonio; Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; and Cisco Systems, Inc. in Austin have also moved away from using eggs from caged hens.

"The Humane Society of the United States commends Omni Hotel's leadership in helping prevent one of the worst factory farm abuses," said Paul Shapiro, Factory Farming Campaign director for The HSUS. "Omni Hotels is setting a positive example for other hotel chains to follow."

Facts

• U.S. factory farms confine nearly 300 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, the birds can't even spread their wings. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live. The European Union has banned barren battery cages, effective 2012.
• Cage free hens generally have approximately 250-300 percent more space per bird and are able to engage in more of their natural behaviors than are caged hens. While cage free hens may not be able to go outside, they are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests—all behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.
• Wolfgang Puck is ending its use of cage eggs. Burger King is beginning to moving away from cage eggs. Major grocery chains such as Austin-based Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace have stopped selling cage eggs, while Trader Joe's has done the same with its private line eggs. Bon Appétit, a major food service company, is phasing out the use of cage eggs in all of its 400 cafés, and even companies such as AOL and Google have ended the use of cage eggs in their employee cafeterias. And local municipalities in Maryland, California and Florida  have publicly condemned battery cages.

Timeline

March 2007—Burger King announces that it has started phasing in the use of cage free eggs.

March 2007—Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announces that he will no longer use eggs from caged hens.

March 2007—New Port Richey, Fla., unanimously passes a bill condemning battery cage confinement and encouraging egg consumers to not purchase eggs from caged hens.

January 2007—West Hollywood, Calif., unanimously passes a bill condemning battery cage confinement and encouraging egg consumers to not purchase eggs from caged hens.

September 2006—Ben & Jerry's announces that it is phasing out the use of eggs from caged hens in its ice creams.

September 2006—Takoma Park, Md., unanimously passes a bill condemning battery cages and encourages egg consumers to not purchase eggs from caged hens.

November 2005—Trader Joe's announces that its brand eggs will be exclusively cage free.

May 2005—Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace announce that they have ended sales of eggs from caged hens.

November 2003—The Better Business Bureau rules that it is misleading to label eggs from battery-caged hens as "Animal Care Certified."

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About The HSUS
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at www.HumaneSociety.org.

About Omni Hotels
Omni Hotels was recently ranked "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study(SM) for the second year in a row.  The brand creates compelling, memorable guest experiences by tempting the senses in innovative ways, surrounding them with a balanced blend of scents, sounds, sights, textures and tastes.  Omni Hotels offers luxury accommodations at 40 hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America.  From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each location features four-diamond services, including award-winning signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique fitness options.  Omni's mission for total customer service is further supported by its "Power of One" program that empowers associates to make on-the-spot decisions to meet or exceed guest expectations.  Guests can locate hotels and book accommodations by visiting www.omnihotels.com or by calling 1-800-THE-OMNI.

*The study is based on responses from 42,211 guests who stayed in a hotel between January and June 2006.  Thirteen upscale hotel chains were ranked in the study.  www.jdpower.com