Cage Free Organic Eggs: Dispelling the Myths and What Shoppers Need to Know

Egg Innovations Wants Conscious Consumers to "Think Outside the Barn" And Learn the Truth Behind Animal Welfare in Cage Free Organic Egg Production

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Egg Innovations

Jun 08, 2016, 10:02 ET

WARSAW, Ind., June 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Egg Innovations, the nation's leading provider of Free Range and Pasture Raised eggs, wants consumers to know the truth behind Cage Free organic egg production and how they can voice their opinions to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Contrary to what many believe, Cage Free organic hens are inside barns for life and never go outside. Proposed revisions to USDA organic rules would in part require hens to be outdoors. Consumers can show their support by commenting online now through the July 13, 11:59 pm EDT deadline.

Contrary to what many believe, Cage Free organic hens are inside barns for life and never go outside.

"Our goal is to ensure the USDA is fully aware that consumers expect and support improved animal welfare in organic production," said John Brunnquell, founder and president of Egg Innovations and the Blue Sky Family Farms brand. "These important decisions should not be left to the deep pockets of Factory Farming to influence. Their misleading cries of increased mortality, spreading disease, compromised food safety, and sky rocketing prices are unfounded."

In practice, the Cage Free egg production reality does not match consumer perceptions. It's true -- Cage Free chickens are not in cages, but they are confined for life to aviaries (barns) with one square foot of space per hen and never get outside under open skies. By contrast, certified humane Free Range and Pasture Raised hens are free to roam inside and out with plenty of space and time on pasture to express their natural behaviors.

If the proposed organic rule changes are passed, it will abolish the option of Cage Free organic eggs. The proposal would amend organic livestock production requirements to improve standards for ethical treatment and close loopholes for interpretation.

Until July 13, Egg Innovations will challenge consumers to "Think Outside the Barn" by posting comments of support for the organic rule changes at the USDA site. Egg Innovations will continue to engage shoppers online and on social media while using the hashtag #LetsTalkOrganic until the new rules are adopted.

More about Blue Sky Family Farms
The Blue Sky Family Farms brand, proudly presented by Egg Innovations, produces "Ethical Eggs for the Humane Race." Egg Innovations is the nation's largest 100 percent Free Range and Pasture Raised egg company that believes in moving animal welfare forward and bringing family farming back. For more information, please visit www.BlueSkyFamilyFarms.com and www.EggInnovations.com.

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SOURCE Egg Innovations