Consumers Deserve Safer, Cruelty-Free Eggs—Equitas Global Urges Goldilocks to Act

MANILA — As more food companies in the Philippines move toward higher animal welfare standards, international consumer protection group Equitas Global is calling on bakery giant Goldilocks to adopt a clear, time-bound commitment to phasing out battery cage eggs, emphasizing that consumers deserve food that is safe and humane.

This renewed call follows an investigation by Equitas that uncovered disturbing conditions at FJ Wegon Farms, a facility supplying eggs to SM Bonus, which are used in Goldilocks products. The footage revealed hens confined in overcrowded, unsanitary cages, many showing signs of distress, feather loss, and untreated injuries. Equitas warns that these conditions not only raise serious animal welfare concerns but also pose significant risks to food safety.

“These systems are not only deeply inhumane. They also threaten public health. It’s time Goldilocks followed the lead of more responsible companies,” said Dana Taborosi, Campaign Manager at Equitas Global.

Salmonella and public health risks

Eggs from battery cage systems have been repeatedly linked to contamination. Global studies show that caged egg farms carry up to 33 times higher risk of salmonella infection compared to cage-free systems.

The issue is especially pressing in the Philippines, where public health experts are raising alarms over multidrug-resistant salmonella. A recent study by the University of the Philippines Diliman – Institute of Biology identified these drug-resistant pathogens in chicken sold in local markets, highlighting the growing risk of foodborne illnesses that are increasingly difficult to treat.

In 2024, the Department of Science and Technology reported a 42% increase in salmonella cases, pointing to poor handling and contaminated production environments—including those for eggs and poultry—as contributing factors.

The case for cage-free reform

Over 30 countries have banned or are phasing out the use of battery cages, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, India, and several U.S. states. Companies globally are shifting to cage-free systems in response to consumer demand and evolving safety standards.

In the Philippines and across Asia, brands such as Red Ribbon, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Tim Hortons, BreadTalk Philippines, Cinnabon, and Auntie Anne’s have already committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs. Despite earlier public statements suggesting it was reviewing its sourcing, Equitas says Goldilocks remains one of the few major bakery chains in the country with no published timeline or commitment to ending its use of battery cage eggs.

“We urge Goldilocks to act responsibly and commit to ending the use of caged eggs in its supply chain. Customers deserve food that is not only safe but also ethically sourced,” said Taborosi.