Jan 15 (Reuters) - Mondelez International Inc MDLZ.O , the
maker of Cadbury chocolates and Oreo cookies, said it would stop
using eggs laid by caged hens for its products sold in the
United States and Canada by 2020.
Mondelez joins a slew of companies shifting to cage-free
eggs amid pressure from consumers and animal-rights groups.
The company, which already uses cage-free eggs in all of its
European chocolate brands as well as in its biscuit products
sold in Belgium and the Netherlands, also said it would switch
to cage-free eggs for all its products sold in Europe by 2025.
The decision comes at a time when the food industry is under
pressure from groups such as the Humane Society of the United
States, Mercy for Animals and World Animal Protection, which
have successfully lobbied many companies to adopt animal welfare
practices.
Both General Mills Inc (N:GIS) GIS.N , the maker of Betty Crocker
cake mixes, and Kellogg Co K.N said last year they would
source 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2025.
Fast-food companies have made similar announcements.
McDonald's Corp MCD.N said in September that its 16,000 U.S.
and Canadian restaurants would serve only eggs laid by cage-free
chicken within 10 years, while Burger King has committed to
using such eggs by 2017.
Mondelez's shares were down 2 percent at $40.53 in early
morning trading on Friday. The stock had risen 23.4 percent in
2015.