Malaysian convenience store chain myNEWS has come under scrutiny after an investigation revealed conditions at one of its key egg suppliers. Footage released by international nonprofit Equitas from Lay Hong farm shows hens confined in battery cages, with visible excrement on cage bars, carcasses left beside live birds, and wild animals entering the facility.
The investigation raises questions about myNEWS’s supply chain oversight at a time when cage-free sourcing has become an increasingly adopted standard in the retail sector. More than 30 countries have legislated against battery cages, and over 80 major companies globally have pledged to move toward cage-free sourcing.
In Malaysia, local retailers including AEON, Lotus’s, MYDIN, and Beacon Mart have made commitments to transition to cage-free egg sourcing. myNEWS has not announced a similar policy or timeline for implementing cage-free standards across its supply chain. The retail convenience store in Malaysia serves millions of consumers daily, making sourcing decisions at major chains significant for both animal welfare standards and food safety practices across the broader supply chain.
“myNEWS is a trusted household name,” said Dana Taborosi, Campaign Manager at Equitas. “But with trust comes responsibility. These findings suggest a serious oversight in their supply chain—one that risks both consumer safety and brand integrity due to animal cruelty.”
Food safety and animal welfare concerns
Battery cage systems confine hens in metal enclosures throughout their egg-laying cycle. Research from the European Food Safety Authority has shown that eggs from caged systems can carry up to 33 times greater risk of salmonella compared to cage-free environments. The systems have been linked to increased stress, injury, and disease among animals.
Cage-free sourcing has evolved from a niche concept to a recognized benchmark in food retail for both animal welfare and food safety considerations. The global shift reflects changing consumer expectations regarding sourcing practices in the food industry.
The investigation footage is available at myNewsCruelty.com and documents conditions at the supplier facility. The findings come as retailers face increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency in their supply chains and implement standards that align with consumer expectations on animal welfare.
“Companies today are measured not just by what they sell, but how they source. myNEWS has a clear opportunity to respond to this moment with action, transparency, and care,” Taborosi added.
While regional competitors have publicly committed to cage-free timelines, myNEWS’s lack of a stated policy on the issue positions the company behind peers in the Malaysian retail sector. The absence of a cage-free commitment contrasts with the direction taken by other major retailers operating in the market.
The investigation highlights ongoing challenges in supply chain oversight for retailers sourcing animal products. As cage-free standards become more widely adopted across the food industry, companies without established policies face questions about their supplier vetting processes and alignment with evolving industry practices.
