ZAANDAM, Netherlands, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Major European retailer Ahold Delhaize has set a target timeline for shifting 100% of the eggs sold in its stores in Indonesia to cage-free. The company's Super Indo grocery banner, a joint venture between Ahold Delhaize and Indonesian conglomerate Salim Group, is the largest supermarket chain in Indonesia, with over 200 stores across the country. Ahold Delhaize's aims to transition all eggs sold in its Indonesia stores to cage-free by 2035.

"Since March 2021, Ahold Delhaize's joint venture Super Indo has added cage-free eggs to its assortment in all its stores, supported by a comprehensive customer education campaign to help customers understand the benefits of cage-free eggs," the company stated in its updated animal welfare policy. "We would use our best commercially reasonable effort to offer 100% cage-free shell chicken eggs by 2035."

The company noted that reaching its goal on time will depend on several factors, including securing sufficient supply of cage-free eggs and remaining compliant with local laws and regulations. Investor Relations Manager Sophie Ho confirmed to investors via email Ahold Delhaize's goal of shifting all eggs sold in Super Indo stores to cage-free by 2035, pending these factors.

Ahold Delhaize is the latest company to join over eighty local and international food companies in Indonesia that have set timelines for transitioning to the use of only cage-free eggs.

"In publicizing its new policy goal of selling only cage-free eggs in Indonesia by 2035, Ahold Delhaize joins a growing list of retailers in Asia that have set timelines to go fully-cage free," said Kirsty Tuxford, Corporate Engagement Manager at the nonprofit Lever Foundation, which has worked with Ahold Delhaize and Super Indo on the issue for the past several years.

Ahold's announcement follows cage-free commitments made recently by top Malaysian retailers MYDIN and AEON Malaysia, as well as commitments made in recent years by other retailers across Asia including MetroMart, Tesco Lotus, CircleK, Auchan, Costco, METRO, City Super, Marks&Spencer and ALDI.

About Lever FoundationLever Foundation is a global NGO that works with leading food companies in Asia to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, with a focus on upgraded animal protein and alternative protein.

CONTACTIlaria Bertini, ilaria@leverfoundation.org