Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Sodexco wants cage-free processed eggs


Sodexo has served notice to its Canadian suppliers that they must source their eggs for processing from cage-free facilities by the end of 2020.

Sodexo is one of the world’s largest companies and competes in Canada in the food services industry.

The two largest egg processors in Canada are also owners of the largest egg-production and egg-grading facilities – Burnbrae of Lyn, Ont., and Gray Ridge of Strathroy, Ont.

Sodexo already requires cage-free sourcing for its table-market eggs.

"With an annual spend of nearly $23 million on animal proteins in Canada, Sodexo has established sustainable purchasing practices with suppliers that drive humane treatment of animals throughout our supply chain," said Tracey Durand, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs, Sodexo Canada.

"We see animal welfare, including these new measures for cage-free eggs, as a key component of a sustainable supply chain alongside food safety, food security, nutrition and science-based environmental practices."

Sodexo currently sources about 800 thousand pounds of liquid eggs annually. It will now move to sourcing liquid eggs only from cage-free hens with a phased-in approach that will be complete by the end of 2020.

Sodexo is one of the largest companies in the world in its business, with 380,000 employees, representing 130 nationalities, present on 34,000 sites in 80 countries. It’s head office is near Paris, France.