PepsiCo has released a disclosure confirming that 70% of its global egg procurement is now cage-free, representing an increase from 50% since its last reporting cycle. The food and beverage company, which operates 23 brands that each generate over one billion dollars in annual sales, also confirmed it is sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in the United States (since 2020), Europe (since 2024), and Canada (as of early 2025).
The company reaffirmed its commitment to reach 100% cage-free globally by the end of 2025. In markets where cage-free eggs are not yet widely available, PepsiCo is reformulating recipes to reduce or eliminate egg ingredients.
The disclosure follows direct engagement with the Open Wing Alliance, a global coalition of 84 animal protection organizations in 72 countries, prior to the release of its 2025 Fair & Fowl Report in October. PepsiCo met with the coalition, provided regular updates, and published a dedicated statement reaffirming its commitment and sharing its progress publicly.
“PepsiCo’s swift response and strong disclosure are a victory for animal welfare and accountability,” said Hannah Surowinski, Senior Associate Director of Global Corporate Relations at the Open Wing Alliance. “By delivering cage-free progress globally and publishing clear updates, PepsiCo proves that eliminating cages is both achievable and expected of global corporate leaders—because the future is cage-free.”
Industry progress and remaining challenges
More than 2,750 companies have committed to going 100% cage-free worldwide. However, some companies have not made progress on their commitments. The Open Wing Alliance noted that with over six billion hens worldwide still confined in cages, corporate transparency and follow-through remain critical to advancing animal welfare standards.
Caged systems confine hens so tightly that they cannot stretch their wings. These conditions lead to chronic stress, reproductive disease, and poor bone health. The transition to cage-free systems addresses these welfare concerns by providing hens with more space and the ability to engage in natural behaviors.
The Open Wing Alliance’s Fair and Fowl Report, released in October, evaluates companies with global cage-free egg commitments across five sectors: hospitality, manufacturers, restaurants, foodservice, and retailers. The report distinguishes companies that are fulfilling their commitments from those that have not reported progress on their pledges.
PepsiCo’s disclosure represents progress in the cage-free movement within the food manufacturing sector. The company’s approach of reformulating products to reduce egg content in markets where cage-free supply is limited demonstrates an alternative strategy for meeting cage-free commitments while supply chains develop.
The global shift toward cage-free egg sourcing reflects changing standards in animal welfare across the food industry. Countries including Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland have implemented bans on cage systems for egg-laying hens. In the United States, 10 states have enacted laws ending the sale or production of eggs from caged hens.
