Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R. May 26, 2024 (Issuewire.com) – Cathay Dining, one of the world’s largest flight kitchens and a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways, has announced its commitment to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs across its operations globally by 2025. The commitment includes all Cathay Pacific flights, over 50 other airlines flying to and from Hong Kong, a retail chain, an online gourmet food store, schools and catering outlets serviced by Cathay Dining.

The company announced its new cage-free egg commitment on its website, stating, “[W]e have pledged to fully transition to the use of cage-free shell eggs by the end of 2024 and cage-free liquid eggs by the end of 2025. In line with our Group Sustainable Food Policy, we actively avoid unsustainably sourced products listed in the policy and promote sustainable consumption practices among our customers.”

“Cathay Dining’s commitment to sourcing cage-free eggs sets a commendable example for the aviation sector,” commented Lily Tse, Sustainability Program Director at international NGO Lever Foundation, which worked with Cathay Dining on its commitment. “Shifting to cage-free eggs ensures that a wide range of passengers will benefit from safer, high-quality ingredients while cementing the group’s dedication to sustainability and animal welfare.”

Cathay Dining’s commitment adds to the momentum within the aviation catering sector towards cage-free egg sourcing in Hong Kong. With a combined capacity of 198,000 meals per day, all three catering service providers within the region–including Cathay Dining, LSG Group and Gategroup–will source 100% cage-free eggs for all flights by 2025.

Cage-free egg production, in which hens are given the freedom to move in open indoor environments, improves animal welfare and significantly lowers food safety risks compared to caged egg production. Exhaustive research by the European Food Safety Authority found conventional battery cage egg farms have up to 25 times higher rates of contamination by key salmonella strains, leading the EFSA to issue a recommendation for a complete ban on caged egg production across Europe. The best way for individual consumers to protect egg-laying hens is to reduce or eliminate egg consumption.

ABOUT LEVER FOUNDATION

Lever Foundation is a global NGO with staff operating across Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. Lever Foundation works with leading companies to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, focusing on upgraded animal protein and alternative protein.