National Egg Farmers Urges Blue Apron Not to Source all of its eggs from Free-Range Egg Production.

On July 5th National Egg Farmers responded the Founder and CEO of Blue Apron after being awarded "The Good Chicken Award" by Compassion in World Farming for its “free-range” egg policy. Unfortunately, Blue Apron has been mislead into thinking this improves the welfare of chickens when it does the opposite based on the actual experience of egg farmers nationwide. National Egg Farmers represents egg farmers across the nation who support the 84% of them still producing eggs in modern, conventional cages. While the association and its members are not opposed to free-range egg production, they do object to claims that it improves the welfare of the chicken. Readers here need to hear the perspective from the egg farmers through their national association. Here's the story on Blue Apron and Compassion in World Farming recognizing the organization.

https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/106429-blue-apron-releases-animal-welfare-standards-and-future-sourcing-commitments

FREE-RANGE IS NOT MORE HUMANE THAN MODERN CONVENTIONAL EGG PRODUCTION.

National Egg Farmers explained the “pecking order” leading to higher mortality among cage-free chickens. They noted too that cage-free systems have resulted in more broken breast bones as reported by Dr. Maja Makagon, Assistant Professor of Applied Animal Behavior at University of California, Davis’ Department of Animal Science. Forcing chickens into production systems that increases bone breakage is inhumane.

Dr. Ivan Alvarado, DVM with Merck Global Business addressed at the Midwest Poultry Convention the external parasites in cage-free farms. 83% of European cage-free egg farms are already infested with poultry red mites. All 27 member nations in the EU are about 40% cage-free compared to 16%. The approved medication in Europe for this parasite is not approved in the U.S.  Subjecting poultry to parasites without the benefit of approved medication is inhumane.

Currently, California is struggling with a major poultry disease (Virulent Newcastle Disease) with 37 outbreaks in backyard (free-range flocks). Once discovered, these chickens have to be destroyed. This is not occurring in conventional farming methods using cages. Forcing chickens into production systems where they contract poultry diseases is inhumane.

FREE-RANGE IS NOT IMPROVED FOOD SAFETY OVER MODERN CONVENTIONAL EGG PRODUCTION:

The US Animal Health Association October 17, 2017 Report stated: “Ascarids (round worms) are increasingly being found in cage-free operations with the concern being the possibility of a consumer finding an egg with a roundworm contained inside. Most all cage-free egg producers have had such an occurrence.” Chickens pick up roundworms when they come into contact with infected feces on the ground. How will Blue Apron customers react to finding round worms in their eggs?

In the Journal Food Control published a study June 17, 2014 entitled "Microbiological Contamination of Shell Eggs Produced in Conventional and Free-Range Housing Systems"  The conclusions show why cages became the preferred method of producing safer eggs. How will Blue Apron customers react when they learn you opted for free-range and increased the likelihood of contracting a pathogen?

Penn State researchers in September 2016 published their research findings that eggs from small flocks of chickens are more likely to be contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis as eggs sold in grocery stores, which typically come from larger flocks of caged layers. How will your customers react when they find out?

It is for these reasons National Egg Farmers, on behalf of egg farmers producing 84% of the eggs consumed in the U.S., urged Blue Apron to reconsider its intentions to source its eggs solely from free-range chickens.