The 2026 Eggsposé

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The 2026 Eggsposé

It’s 2026, and many corporate cage-free commitments are past due. Some companies kept their word. Others are out of time—and officially out of excuses.

Empty promises won’t empty cages

Across restaurants, grocery aisles, and institutional cafeterias, hundreds of companies made cage-free egg pledges years ago. Most gave themselves a full decade to follow through.

This year, we're naming names across every sector. For the first time, our annual Cage-Free Eggsposé will be published as three sector-specific reports—covering foodservice providers, consumer packaged goods brands, and restaurants—so each industry gets the focused scrutiny it deserves.

Egg prices have stabilized. Producers are ready. Cage-free laws have already been passed in 10 states—and counting. These companies have had every opportunity to act on their self-imposed deadlines. They're not just out of time. They're out of excuses.

READ THE REPORTS

CAGE-FREE IN 2026

FARMERS ARE REPORTING…

… that more than half of all US hens are projected to be living cage-free by next year. Egg producers stopped reporting new caged farm construction or expansion plans in 2021.

POLLS ARE REPORTING …

… that when given the chance, voters want cage-free to be the norm. 10 states have laws banning battery cages—and egg producers support these laws.

CONSUMER TRENDS ARE REPORTING …

… that 85% of Americans find the confinement of laying hens in cages—with less room than a sheet of paper per bird—to be unacceptable.

INDUSTRY EXPERTS ARE REPORTING …

… that “egg costs have remained low,” that cage-free is “good for the birds,” and that “it’s working.”

MAJOR FOOD COMPANIES ARE REPORTING …

… that going 100% cage-free ahead of their deadlines is possible, and the new plan is going cage-free globally.

EGGSPOSÉ LAGGARDS ARE REPORTING …

… nothing. Some have even removed their cage-free policies entirely. Egg supply has recovered. Prices have stabilized. So where's the progress?

Our Consultants

Report Consultants

Our Consultants

  • Liz Fergus Headshot

    Liz Fergus

    Senior Corporate Relations Manager

  • Gabriel Wildgen Circle Headshot

    Gabriel Wildgen, JD

    Senior Associate Vice President of Public Policy

  • Windsor author photo

    Michael Windsor

    Senior Director of Research & Insights

  • 25-comms-email-headshots-jwisner

    Julia Wisner

    Director of Public Relations