Alligator Brand Fresh Pasta has been declared a 'Good Egg' by the RSPCA for using cage-free eggs to make its products.
The pasta maker was a winner in the manufacturing category of the RSPCA's Good Egg Awards, which are aimed at large-scale egg users. The award recognised Alligator Brand for its long-term commitment to using only cage-free eggs (around 20,800 a year) in its product range.
Alligator Brand spokesperson Amanda Beckett said the company would continue to make a difference in its manufacturing by using free range products wherever possible.
“We use over 25 tonnes of free range egg pulp for our production each year, so it is important to us that we do this in the most humane way possible,” she said.
Coles Brand Eggs was a winner in the retail category for switching to cage-free eggs and IKEA Australia received a commendation for its commitment to start sourcing only cage-free eggs for use in its cafes.
RSPCA Australia CEO Heather Neil said that put together, the commitment from Alligator Brand Fresh Pasta and Coles Brand Eggs would see over 105 million eggs sourced from over 350,000 cage-free hens in Australia each year.
“Importantly, these moves by major brands demonstrate that not only are Australian consumers demanding higher welfare products and becoming more interested in where and how their food is produced and sourced," said Neil.
“But they also show it’s possible and feasible in a business sense to make more humane choices in the supply chain,” she said.
Several smaller organisations were also recognised for showing leadership in their sector including Flinders University, Byron Shire Council and The Cupcake Room in Sydney.