Reina Group fulfills its commitment: now using 100% cage-free eggs in all its desserts. A big step for animal welfare

Back in 2021, we published a report evaluating the welfare conditions of laying hens used by certain food companies, including Reina Group, a maker of desserts and yogurts.

Following that report, we initiated a dialogue with Reina Group to gain firsthand insight into their progress regarding their pledge to exclusively use cage-free eggs in all their desserts.

As announced at the beginning of 2019, coinciding with the launch of their cage-free egg flan, Reina Group began incorporating cage-free eggs into many of its products ever since.

After several years, by September 2024, they reaffirmed their commitment. Today, we can finally say:

It’s a fact: hens deserve a free and happy life too.

But what does it really mean for them to be "cage-free"?

Caged hens live in highly restricted conditions that jeopardize their health and behavior, leading to constant stress and suffering. By removing the cages, we’re making a significant change: we’re freeing them from a tiny space the size of an A4 sheet of paper, where they can barely move their wings.

However, even with systems like the enriched cage system (system 2), where hens have more space,  scratch the ground, and explore, there is still room for improvement regarding welfare. Systems 0 and 1 allow hens to go outdoors, which is vital for their physical and mental health.

This advancement by Reina Group highlights the importance of collaborating with suppliers that share similar values. Reviewing supply practices and establishing clear standards to maintain this ethical commitment to animal welfare throughout the production chain is crucial, benefiting thousands of animals that would otherwise live in tiny cages.

Animal welfare is not just a goal, but a shared responsibility that requires constant effort. Society reflects this too. According to the latest 2023 Eurobarometer special survey on European attitudes, 91% of respondents consider it important to protect the welfare of farm animals to ensure they have suitable breeding conditions.

At the Animal Welfare Observatory, we firmly believe this should be a cornerstone of the food industry. With every company that joins this cause, we move a step closer to realizing our mission: to create a food system where there are no cages or animal suffering.

We encourage companies and institutions to commit to eliminating the suffering of animals destined for consumption.