In an encouraging move towards more ethical food sourcing, four Thai restaurants – Akiyoshi, Rena Bakery, Rotruedee, and Tap Home Cook – have committed to using only cage-free eggs.
This initiative – made possible through collaboration with Humane Society International – aims to improve the treatment of hens by ensuring they have more space to move and engage naturally rather than being confined to cramped cages.
Currently, Thailand has around 96.3 million hens used for egg production, with many living in small wire cages that restrict their movement. Cage-free systems allow hens to engage in instinctive behaviours such as nesting, perching, and dustbathing.
Research shows that hens are sentient creatures capable of feeling emotions, bonding with their chicks, and even counting – traits that underscore their need for better living conditions.
The movement toward cage-free eggs reflects a growing demand among Thai consumers for more compassionate food choices.
Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager for farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International, said the initiative wants to highlight the importance of animal welfare and that hens deserve basic protection.
“Thai consumers, like others worldwide, care about animal welfare, and they support companies that share these values,” Tangjerdjaras added. “We’re thrilled to work with companies like Akiyoshi, Rena Bakery, Rotruedee, and Tap Home Cook that have adopted cage-free policies.”
These four restaurants join more than 50 companies in Thailand, including Minor Foods and Marriott, Baan Ying Family, Bite Me Softly, Kalpapruek, and Sukishi are also participating in this growing shift towards humane sourcing.
On a global scale, more than 2000 companies, including Burger King, Bimbo, and Accor, have pledged to go cage-free.
