WattAgNet: Dunkin’ Donuts moves to cage-free eggs, crate-free pork

Company sets target to have all crate-free pork in US restaurants by 2022, 10 percent of its eggs from cage-free hens by end of 2016
Release Date: 2015-04-01

Dunkin' Donuts is phasing into a plan to serve eggs from cage-free hens and bacon and pork from crate-free pigs. 
Dunkin’ Donuts has committed to transition to using pork from crate-free pigs and eggs from cage-free hens. The company announced its plans on March 30.

Dunkin’ Donuts stated in a press release that it will map its international supply chain to understand the feasibility of transitioning to 100 percent cage-free eggs globally, and, based on this assessment, establish a global target with interim deliverables towards this goal. As an immediate step, 10 percent of all eggs sourced for its breakfast sandwiches in the U.S. will be cage-free by the end of 2016. Additionally, Dunkin’ Donuts will source only pork from pigs raised without the use of gestation crates in its U.S. restaurants by 2022.

The announcement was made in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Dunkin’ Brands is working with its suppliers and the HSUS to update its animal welfare policy and meet its target goals.

“Dunkin’ Brands and our franchisee community care about the welfare of animals and their humane treatment. We set a goal to source 5 percent cage-free eggs by 2013, an accomplishment we are proud to have achieved,” said Christine Riley Miller, senior director of corporate social responsibility for Dunkin’ Brands.

Dunkin’ Brands’ full commitment to animal welfare will be included in the company’s 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility report, which will be released by end of spring. 

Dunkin' Donuts' decision follows similar moves made by other companies, including Heinz and Nestle, which both announced in 2014 they would transition toward cage-free eggs and crate-free pork.