Tufts University Launches a Cage-Free Egg Policy

WASHINGTON—Today, the nation's largest animal protection organization announced another success in the effort to end one of the most abusive factory farming practices. Tufts University is switching to cage-free liquid eggs in all dining units, a move that The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) praised as an important step for animal welfare.

Tufts Dining has chosen to eliminate the use of liquid eggs from caged birds from its student dining facilities, effective immediately. Last semester, the university's dining halls used more than 14,500 gallons of liquid eggs.

"Not only are we patronizing local companies, but we are improving the welfare of the animals who provide our eggs," stated Patricia Klos, Director of Dining and Business Services for Tufts. "We wanted to make a difference in the market with our choice of eggs, and as an initial policy, switching to cage-free liquid eggs will make a big difference." 

Tufts joins a growing list of schools refusing to use eggs from caged birds. More than seventy other colleges and universities have eliminated or are phasing out the use of eggs from caged hens, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of New Hampshire, University of Connecticut, Georgetown University, University of Rochester, and American University.

"Tufts has taken a positive step for animal welfare by ending its use of liquid eggs from caged birds," commented Paul Shapiro, Factory Farming Campaign manager for The HSUS. "We applaud Tufts' efforts to reduce animal suffering, and we encourage other schools to follow its example."

In the past year, several major grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Jimbo's Naturally, and Earth Fare eliminated their sales of battery cage eggs. Trader Joe's converted all of its brand eggs to cage-free. And food service provider Bon Appétit began phasing in exclusively cage-free eggs for all of its 190 cafés.

In the United States, approximately 95 percent of eggs sold come from hens confined in barren "battery cages," wire enclosures so small the birds can't even spread their wings or engage in many other natural behaviors, such as nesting, foraging, perching, and dust bathing. The cages are stacked one on top of another inside huge warehouses on factory farms. Each bird is afforded less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live, leading to extremely high levels of stress and frustration.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at hsus.org.