Scarletta and Sloane’s Artisan completes full transition to sourcing cage-free eggs in 2024
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
HSI
BANGKOK—Humane Society International in Thailand is celebrating the notable recent achievement of Scarletta and Sloane’s Artisan, a restaurant group and pasta manufacturer, which announced a commitment to exclusively use cage-free egg and egg products as of October 2024. The commitment came about when the group conducted a review on how to improve animal welfare in its supply chain, and Humane Society International facilitated connections to cage-free egg producers. Scarletta and Sloane’s Artisan has already implemented cage-free eggs for use at its restaurants (Scarletta Pasta Bar and Salad Smith) and in the products it sells to other restaurants and retailers. HSI supported the company’s transition by recommending producers that meet the science-based animal welfare requirements that allow birds to express their important natural behaviors such as nesting and perching.
The majority of the 95.8 million hens used for egg production in Thailand spend their lives in wire cages with each hen provided no more space than the size of an A4 sheet of paper. The cage is so small that hens cannot spread their wings or take more than a few steps. In such production systems, hens are unable to express important natural behavior, including nesting, perching and dustbathing, all of which are possible in cage-free systems. Hens are sentient, intelligent and sociable animals. Scientific studies have shown that they empathize with their chicks, enjoy social activities such as dustbathing, and can anticipate the future, which in turn affects their decision making.
Scarletta and Sloane’s Artisan isn’t planning to stop at cage-free eggs; the company is looking into other animal welfare and sustainability improvements for its supply chain. The company understands the importance of its transition to cage-free eggs and hopes it will create a ripple effect in Thai society.
“We are passionate about quality food, sustainability impacts, and animal welfare. We started using cage-free eggs in 2020 for some of our products and will be completing our transition to 100% cage-free eggs in the last quarter of 2024. We will continue to use only cage-free eggs going forward for all brands. All our quality-driven products are made by hand in our own production facility by passionate individuals,” said Joe Sloane, founder and managing director of Scarletta and Sloane’s Artisan.
Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager of farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International said, “Joe Sloane and his team at Scarletta and Sloane’s Artisan are passionate about animal welfare and quickly chose to stop using any eggs from hens confined to cages. We applaud this strong cage-free commitment and are available to support companies looking to improve animal welfare.”
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Media contact: Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager for farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International, ltangjerdjaras@hsi.org
Zen Corporation Group becomes the largest Thai restaurant group in the country to embrace higher welfare standards for hens
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
David Paul Morris
BANGKOK—Humane Society International in Thailand celebrates Zen Corporation Group for its commitment to use eggs from cage-free hens by 2028. With 11 restaurant brands and more than 240 outlets, Zen Corporation Group has become Thailand’s largest restaurant group to join the global cage-free movement. In 2024, the group already reached the 80% mark of its egg supply coming from cage-free hens, demonstrating its commitment to improving the lives of thousands of hens. By the 2028 deadline, all eggs used across Zen Corporation Group’s restaurants will come from hens kept in cage-free systems where they can engage in natural behaviors like perching and nesting.
This commitment is the result of close collaboration with Humane Society International, which began in 2023. HSI worked with Zen Corporation Group by providing expert guidance, facilitating key connections with local suppliers, organizing cage-free farm site visits, providing team training on the benefits of cage-free systems, and many other full supports on any related aspects of cage-free eggs policy.
In Thailand, where most of the country’s 95.8 million egg-laying hens are confined to tiny wire cages, Zen Corporation Group’s decision signals a major shift in the industry. By adopting a cage-free procurement policy, Zen Corporation Group is taking a critical step to reduce suffering and drive a change in the market. In a cage-free environment, hens can move more freely, perch, nest, and dustbathe, leading to significantly improved welfare and better lives.
“The group has been driven by strong passion of professional and expertise to develop creative menu and unique dining experience with love not only to the customers but every life related to us. Responsible consumption in our supply chain involving animal welfare is an essential element for our corporate social responsibility goals and sustainable development. Thus, cage-free eggs are one of the main programs we would like to move forward to successful implementation soon. This action is one of our goals to support local producers for sustainable business”, said Miss. Jomkwan Chirathivat, General Manager, Sustainable Development of Zen Corporation Group.
“Zen Corporation Group’s leadership will have a lasting impact on both the welfare of animals and the expectations of consumers in Thailand. As one of the largest Thai companies to adopt a cage-free policy, the team has dedicated time, shown the will and worked diligently to begin implementing these higher welfare standards. Thanks to their hard work, countless hens will have the space to spread their wings and a better life”, said Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand Program Manager, Farm Animal Welfare and Protection for Humane Society International.
Zen Corporation Group’s commitment is part of a national and global trend moving away from keeping hens in cages in egg production. It joins nearly 80 other national and multinational companies in Thailand such as AccorHotels, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Sodexo, Nestlé and Mondelēz International that are all committed to only supplying cage-free eggs. As consumer demand for more ethical and sustainable food options increases, companies like Zen Corporation Group are leading the charge for positive change.
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Media contact: Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager for farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International, ltangjerdjaras@hsi.org
Akiyoshi, Rena Bakery, Rotruedee, and Tap Home Cook make the switch to cage-free eggs for a more humane future
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
Tigrane Hogbossia
BANGKOK, Thailand—This World Egg Day, four beloved Thai restaurants are putting animal welfare first by celebrating World Hen Day instead. Akiyoshi, Rena Bakery, Rotruedee, and Tap Home Cook are proudly announcing their transition to using only cage-free eggs and ensuring that the hens who lay those eggs are treated with greater care and have room to move.
In collaboration with Humane Society International, these popular establishments are leading the way in Thailand’s shift toward more compassionate food choices. Japanese restaurant Akiyoshi, authentic Thai fusion western style Rena Bakery, renowned Thai restaurant Rotruedee and Tap Home Cook, famous for its home-style cooking, are all committing to a cage-free egg supply. This means hens will no longer be confined to cramped cages, and instead will have space to spread their wings, walk, and engage in natural behaviors like dustbathing and perching.
In Thailand, approximately 96.3 million hens are used for egg production, and the majority are confined in small wire cages so small that hens can’t spread their wings or take more than a few steps. In contrast, “World Hen Day is an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of animal welfare and make the point clearly that hens are individuals deserving of basic protections,” said Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand Program Manager for Farm Animal Welfare and Protection at Humane Society International. “Thai consumers, like others around the world, care about animal welfare, and they support companies that share these values. We’re thrilled to work with companies that adopted cage-free policies and are advancing the movement toward cage-free egg production.
These four companies are responding to growing consumer demand for more ethical food choices. For them, the decision to go cage-free isn’t just about business—it’s about doing what’s right.
“Switching to using 100% cage-free eggs is an important decision for us because it fits with who we are and is what our customers want.” said a spokesperson for the Executive Management team at Akiyoshi.
Mr. Chatchai Komintr, CEO of Rena Bakery added: “After we learned more about how caged hens live, we decided that we needed to do something to help.”
These four businesses join over 50 companies in Thailand, including big names like Minor Foods and Marriott, that have pledged to use exclusively cage-free eggs. Other Thailand brands are also part of this growing shift toward more humane sourcing. Globally, more than 2,000 companies—including Burger King, Bimbo, and Accor—have committed to go cage-free.
The move to cage-free eggs reflects a broader shift toward ethical choices, as more Thai consumers seek out businesses that prioritize animal welfare, and make their preferences known. This is a step toward a brighter, more compassionate future for Thailand’s hens.
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Media contact: Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager for farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International, ltangjerdjaras@hsi.org
With support from Humane Society International, Tap Home Cook commits to stop using eggs from caged hens by 2028
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
danchooalex/iStock.com
BANGKOK, Thailand—Tap Home Cook, a popular café and restaurant group in Thailand, is taking a significant step toward improving animal welfare by committing to only use eggs from cage-free hens by 2028. The pledge was made with the support of the animal protection organisation Humane Society International which is working to improve the welfare of farmed animals in the country.
Tap Home Cook operates three well-known brands: Not Just Another Cup, Tiny Cup and Butter Cup. The company is dedicated to offering more sustainable options for customers while improving its social impact. By shifting to eggs from cage-free hens, Tap Home Cook joins a growing number of Thai businesses prioritizing animal welfare in their supply chains. This company has already begun the transition, with full implementation expected by 2028.
In Thailand, the majority of the 95.8 million hens used for egg production spend their lives in cramped wire cages, each with less space than the area of an A4 sheet of paper. These crowded cages prevent hens from expressing natural behavior such as spreading their wings, nesting, perching and dustbathing. Cage-free systems, on the other hand, offer the opportunity for hens to engage in these vital activities, greatly enhancing their quality of life. Research has shown that hens are sentient, intelligent and sociable animals.
“At Tap Home Cook, we are deeply committed to responsible sourcing,” said Chitraphan Charanachitta, Founder and CEO of Tap Home Cook. “Our transition to cage-free eggs aligns perfectly with our vision We are grateful to Humane Society International for their support in helping us make this important change, and we are excited to be part of the global movement toward more humane practices.
Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand Program Manager, Farm Animal Welfare and Protection for Humane Society International, applauded Tap Home Cook’s leadership: “We are thrilled to see Tap Home Cook take this important step towards improving animal welfare. Their commitment will not only benefit the hens but will also inspire other companies in Thailand to follow suit. HSI in Thailand is ready to support any business looking to improve the welfare of animals in its supply chains.”
Tap Home Cook is joining a broader cage-free movement within Thailand and beyond, as more multinational and local companies make similar cage-free commitments. Global companies with operations in Thailand, such as Central Retail Group, AccorHotels, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Sodexo, Nestle and Mondelez International, have already started to make the switch to cage-free eggs Additionally, Thai brands like Baan Ying Family, Akiyoshi, Bite Me Softly, Kalpapruek, Rena Bakery, Rotruedee and Sukishi are part of this growing shift toward more humane sourcing.
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Media contact: Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager for farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International, ltangjerdjaras@hsi.org
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
HSI
HO CHI MINH CITY, Viet Nam—Humane Society International, a non-profit organization working around the globe to improve the welfare of animals, is proud to celebrate the long-term partnership between Pizza 4P’s and Tamago in their joint effort to eliminate battery cages and transition to cage-free facilities.
Recognizing the profound impact corporate reforms can have on the lives of millions of animals, HSI has made corporate social responsibility campaigns a fundamental priority. HSI played a key role in facilitating Pizza 4P’s transition to cage-free egg suppliers, leading to the successful partnership between Pizza 4P’s and Tamago.
In 2020, Pizza 4P’s, a restaurant chain headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City with locations across Viet Nam, Japan, India and Cambodia, became one of the first companies in Southeast Asia to commit to transitioning to sourcing eggs from cage-free hens. Cage-free production represents a strong welfare improvement over the industry’s antiquated intensive cage confinement systems in which hens are unable to spread their wings or take more than a few steps.
Tamago, a small-scale producer in northern Viet Nam, started a cage-free pilot project in 2023 to supply some of Pizza 4P’s locations in Hanoi. The pilot project demonstrated that hens were equally productive in the cage-free barn as they were in intensive cage confinement. As a result, Tamago decided to fully transition to a cage-free system.
Hoang Nguyen, director of Tamago, said: “Keeping cage-free birds is better for the animals and for the people who care for them. It also makes good business sense; after a one-year trial, the productivity of the cage-free hens is the same as those in cages. We are proud to offer a higher welfare alternative and thank Pizza 4P’s for helping us make this important switch. The long-term support from such companies is the key.”
Rising demand for eggs from cage-free hens at Pizza 4P’s northern locations has led Tamago to significantly expand its cage-free production. Initially supplying eggs to only a few stores, Tamago now supports all Pizza 4P’s locations in the northern regions. “As we continue on our path of responsible and sustainable sourcing, of which cage-free eggs are integral, we aspire to build even stronger partnerships with like-minded suppliers,” said Thu Vuong, sustainability manager at Pizza 4P’s. “Together, we aim to fulfill our vision of ’Making the World Smile for Peace’ and to cultivate a world infused with compassion through our actions.’’
Hang Le, Southeast Asia regional manager of Farm Animal Welfare and Protection at Humane Society International, said: “We applaud the long-term partnership between Pizza 4P’s and Tamago. This is a strong example of how a company can implement cage-free policy by working with its current eggs suppliers to end the use of intensive caging of hens. Many companies across Southeast Asia have committed to be cage-free by next year, giving them a matter of months to transition. HSI can offer technical support for this type of transition, so we urge these companies to follow suit and contact us for support in switching to a cage-free future.”
Cage-free systems provide animals with more space, freedom to move, and facilities for expressing their natural behaviors. A growing number of food and hospitality companies including Accor, Marriott and Fusion have adopted policies to procure eggs from cage-free hens as part of their corporate social responsibility goals. Cage-free production is the system of the future.
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Media contact: Carson Baer, media specialist; cbaer@humanesociety.org
Akiyoshi's restaurant pledges to only use eggs from cage-free hens, transforms the lives of over a thousand hens each year
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
HSIcage-free laying hens
BANGKOK—Japanese restaurant Akiyoshi announced all its restaurants in Bangkok will exclusively use eggs laid by hens enjoying cage-free environments. This strategic decision will improve the lives of over a thousand hens each year, marking a significant advancement in animal welfare within Akiyoshi’s food supply chain, in alignment with the organisation’s ethos of responsible sourcing. The restaurant’s policies apply to all branches in Bangkok and will include any new operations as the company expands.
Akiyoshi’s leadership swiftly pivoted towards eggs from hens with room to roam following strategic dialogues with Humane Society International, spurred by a shared commitment to alleviate the suffering of hens enduring cage confinement.
“At Akiyoshi, we create simple food under unique concepts of taste, quality, and top-class offerings and care about where our ingredients come from. Switching to using 100% cage-free eggs is an important decision for us because it fits with who we are and is what our customers want.” said the executive management team at Akiyoshi.
In 2022, Thailand kept 96.3 million egg-laying hens, typically confined in wire cages so small that they cannot spread their wings. Cage-free production systems provide a much higher level of welfare, allowing the hens to express their natural behavior, including ground scratching, pecking, laying their eggs in nests, perching, and fully spreading their wings, all of which are scientifically documented behavioral needs. Raising hens without putting them in cages allows hens to develop and express their behaviors freely and naturally.
“By granting hens the freedom to live and move without extreme confinement, Akiyoshi is accelerating the charge in creating a more compassionate food industry. This change isn’t just about eggs; it’s about honoring the inherent value and dignity of every hen in our food system.” shared Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand Program Manager for HSI.
HSI’s work to improve the welfare of animals in agriculture is both science-based and collaborative. The organization works with companies, farmers, processors, scientists and certifiers to support a transition to cage-free housing systems and offers a wide range of support to companies including farm visits, consumer education and corporate roundtables and workshops to enhance their supply chains.
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Media contact: Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand Program Manager for farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International, ltangjerdjaras@hsi.org
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
Chau Doan AP Images for HSI
HANOI—Viet Nam’s Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has been urged to take decisive action to end the country’s trafficking and slaughter of 6 million dogs and cats for meat every year, if his recent Directive to tackle deadly rabies is to be successful.
Rabies is endemic in Viet Nam with government statistics reporting an increase in human deaths, including 82 human rabies-related deaths last year across 30 provinces and cities and 27 deaths in the first three months of 2024. Nearly 70,000 people required rabies prophylaxis treatment. Interaction with dogs through bites as well as dog meat butchery and consumption—are responsible for 99% of rabies transmissions to humans. While the Prime Minister’s Directive rightly calls on provincial authorities to increase dog vaccination rates, global animal welfare experts Humane Society International warn that such efforts will forever be undermined as long as the country’s dog and cat meat trades continue unabated.
Phuong Tham, Viet Nam director for Humane Society International, said: “The most effective way of eradicating rabies in humans is to eliminate the disease in dogs. Mass canine vaccination is therefore vital, but so too is ensuring that those vaccinated dogs remain in their localities so that herd immunity is created. It is virtually impossible to achieve that herd immunity while dog traders are stealing and trafficking millions of dogs around the country. Every single month in Viet Nam there are tens of thousands of dogs of unknown disease and vaccination status being stuffed into trucks and driven from once province to another, disrupting any potential benefit from canine vaccination and helping to spread new rabies infections. We must also stop the unregulated importation of unvaccinated, and possibly rabies infected dogs from neighbouring countries including Cambodia and Laos, which threatens provincial rabies control programs.”
Recommendations from leading human and animal health experts―including the World Health Organization, Global Alliance for Rabies Control, World Organisation for Animal Health, Pan American Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States ―stipulate that mass dog vaccination must happen in lockstep with restricting mass dog movements so that a sufficiently high level of rabies vaccination coverage remains in the stable dog population to interrupt rabies transmission.
Dr. Katherine Polak, veterinarian and HSI’s vice president of companion animals, says: “Allowing the dog and cat meat trades to continue essentially unravels all the hard work of vaccination programs and puts humans throughout the supply and demand chain in direct contact with potentially rabies-infected dogs and cats. So while we very much welcome Prime Minister Chính’s Directive, we urge him to go further and bring forward a nationwide ban on the dog and cat meat trades. The recent ban in South Korea on the dog meat industry there demonstrates that where there is political will, we can achieve great strides forward to protect people and animals.”
HSI also calls on the Ministry of Information and Communications to include anti-dog meat trade messaging in its public awareness raising outreach to ensure that the public is aware of how much such activities increase the risk of rabies transmission.
There is considerable evidence spanning decades from throughout Asia of the link between the dog meat trade and rabies transmission. Studies from Viet Nam, China and Indonesia have shown that rabies-positive dogs and carcasses often appear in markets and slaughterhouses. In one study in Viet Nam, 16.4% of samples tested positive. The movement of different strains of the rabies virus in dogs being traded for human consumption has also been tracked. There have been a number of human rabies deaths in Viet Nam directly linked to slaughtering, butchering, handling and consumption of meat from infected dogs. For example, in 2007 in Ba Vi a rabies outbreak saw 30% of human deaths linked to exposure during the slaughter and butchery of dogs, according to the Department of Animal Health.
HSI’s team in Viet Nam has been campaigning to end the dog and cat meat trades since 2020. Most recently, the charity expanded its Models for Change program in South Korea helping dog meat farmers transition out of the industry, to also include dog and cat meat slaughterhouses and restaurants in Viet Nam. The program facilitates the transition of dog and cat meat-related businesses in Dong Hai and Thai Nguyen in addition to which HSI now has a three-year agreement with the government in both provinces to advance an holistic approach to tackling rabies through a rabies vaccination program, humane dog population management, public awareness campaigns to discourage dog and cat meat consumption, and law enforcement of anti-dog and cat trafficking activities.
Dog meat facts:
On 14 March 2024, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 22/CD-TTg calling on provincial authorities to establish local taskforces to implement rabies prevention and control measures. Those localities with low dog/cat rabies vaccination rates were advised to expand coverage.
A recent Nielsen opinion poll (Aug – Sept 2023) commissioned by HSI found that around one quarter of the population (24%) had consumed dog meat (thịt chó) in the last year, most notably in north Viet Nam (40%). A significant proportion of respondents support a ban – 64% and 68% respectively support banning dog meat consumption and trade, while 71% equally support banning cat meat consumption and trade.
HSI research shows that dog meat is not an expensive delicacy, costing from 150,000 – 200,000 VND ($6 – $8) per dish in Thai Nguyen.
While the sale and consumption of dog meat is not illegal in Viet Nam, both the unregulated trans-provincial movement of dogs and pet theft are punishable offences. Officials in several cities including Hanoi and Hoi An have pledged to end the trade, but law enforcement is rare.
Data from Viet Nam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology shows that a significant proportion of patients become infected with the rabies virus after killing, butchering or eating dogs, as well as from bites.
Studies of brain samples of dogs collected from slaughterhouses in northern and southern provinces have also tested positive for the rabies virus.
In 2018 and 2019, the authorities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City respectively urged citizens not to consume dog meat to reduce their risk of disease transmission.
Humane Society International, Change For Animals Foundation, Jakarta Animal Aid Network, and Animal Friends Jogja
JAKARTA―Indonesia’s animal-loving public rallied outside the House of Representatives in the capital Jakarta today to deliver a letter calling on the government to introduce a nationwide ban on the cruel dog and cat meat trades. More than a million companion animals are stolen, trafficked and brutally killed for meat each year across Indonesia. They endure grueling journeys to supply demand hotspots, many dying on the way from heatstroke, dehydration, disease or injuries inflicted during capture and transport. Those who survive are taken to slaughterhouses and markets where they are bludgeoned and killed in full view of other dogs and cats.
The rally, led by the Dog Meat Free Indonesia coalition and Animals Hope Shelter in collaboration with five other national groups and coalitions*, follows the high-profile interception last month of 226 dogs in Central Java being trafficked for meat. It also comes just weeks after the parliament in South Korea passed a national ban on the dog meat industry there, which campaigners hope will inspire the Indonesian government to act.
DMFI has campaigned for an end to these trades for years, conducting numerous shocking investigations into the underworld network of dog and cat thieves, traffickers, traders and slaughterers. As a result of DMFI campaigns, more than 50 cities, regencies and provinces across Indonesia―including the Special Capital Region of Jakarta―have introduced bans on the trades, but campaigners say that without a robustly enforced national ban, the trades will continue unabated.
Evidence from both Indonesia and throughout the region has demonstrated the rabies risk the dog meat trade poses, facilitating its transmission and hindering attempts to eliminate the fatal disease, jeopardising the ASEAN pledge to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
Lola Webber, director of campaigns to End Dog Meat at Humane Society International, a DMFI member group, says: “More than a million dogs and untold numbers of cats are snatched from their homes or the streets and endure immense cruelty for the meat trade in Indonesia. This trade continues despite the fact that only a small fraction of the population eats dog and cat meat and the trade poses a very real threat to the health of the whole nation by facilitating the spread of deadly rabies and other diseases. Most people here in Indonesia want a national ban to end this cruelty once and for all, and all of us attending this rally hope that the example recently set by South Korea will inspire Indonesia to become the next country in Asia to ban this trade for good.”
A Nielsen opinion poll in January 2021, commissioned by DMFI, revealed that 93% of Indonesians support a national dog meat ban with fewer than 5% having ever consumed dog meat and 88% agreeing that the issues of the dog meat trade and consumption of dog meat need to be addressed immediately by all political parties.
Karin Franken, founder of Jakarta Animal Aid Network, a DMFI member group, said: “We are rallying here alongside national animal protection groups and activists on behalf of the millions of dog and cat-loving and concerned citizens across Indonesia, to call for a national ban on the brutal dog and cat meat trades. These trades are intolerably cruel and dangerous, and it’s time for our government to prioritize the health and welfare of both animals and people by implementing a nationwide ban.”
Karen O’Malley, Programme Manager for Ending the Dog and Cat Meat Trade at FOUR PAWS International, a DMFI member group, said: “Across Asia, an estimated 30 million cats and dogs are stolen from their homes or the streets, transported long distances in awful conditions, then brutally slaughtered for their meat, every single year. Now is the time for this cruel trade to be brought to an end, for the health and welfare of both animals and humans. We are hopeful that Indonesia, along a number of their Southeast Asian neighbours, will follow South Korea in introducing a nationwide ban.’
Facts
The dog meat trade is now banned in more than 50 cities, regencies and provinces across Indonesia. In July 2023, Indonesia’s notorious Tomohon “Extreme” Market in North Sulawesi province introduced a ban on dog and cat slaughter and meat trade sales, following negotiations with DMFI members Humane Society International and Animal Friends Manado Indonesia.
In addition to the 50+ locations in Indonesia, across Asia the trade in and slaughter, sale and consumption of dogs is also banned or otherwise ended in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea (coming into force 2027) and two major cities in mainland China.
Dog Meat Free Indonesia is a coalition of national and international animal protection organizations comprising Jakarta Animal Aid Network, Animal Friends Jogja, Humane Society International, Animals Asia and FOUR PAWS. The coalition exposes the brutality of the trades and campaigns for a ban on the grounds of animal cruelty and risks to public health.
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* Full list of participating groups: DMFI coalition, JAAN domestic, Humane Society International, FOUR PAWS International, Animals Asia, Animal Friends Jogja, Natha Satwa Nusantara, Koalisi Perlindungan Hewan Indonesia, Animal Friends Manado Indonesia, Animal Hope Shelter, Animals Don’t Speak Human, LBH Perlindungan Hewan Indonesia.
A copy of the letter submitted to the House of representatives is available here (ENG) and here (Bahsasa Indonesia)
Photos and videos of dog meat trading operations in Java, copyright Dog Meat Free Indonesia
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Indonesia
Lola Webber, Humane Society International’s director of campaigns to End Dog Meat, and DMFI coordinator, lolawebber@yahoo.co.uk; +6281337408768
Karin Franken, Jakarta Animal Aid Network Founder, and national coordinator Dog Meat Free Indonesia Coalition, jaan_adopt@yahoo.com; +6282122487794
Safe Food will source 100% cage-free eggs by 2028
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
Michelle Riley/The HSUS
HO CHI MINH CITY, Viet Nam—Safe Food, a food retailer in Ho Chi Minh City, announced it will only use cage-free eggs by 2028 through a recent collaboration with Gia Vien Farm, an egg producer set on a fivefold expansion of its cage-free systems. The initiative, backed by the global animal protection charity Humane Society International, is set to receive continuous technical guidance to ensure its successful implementation.
Viet Nam is home to nearly 86 million hens used for their eggs, the majority of which are confined in cages and unable to fully stretch their wings. The partnership between Safe Food and Gia Vien Farms will provide hens space to move freely within the barn and express their natural behavior, including ground scratching, pecking, laying their eggs in nests and socializing with their peers. Gia Vien Farm houses 2,000 hens in cage-free systems and plans to increase this number to 10,000 hens in the coming year. With this move, the producer is aligning with a worldwide movement observed among food businesses, producers, and governmental regulatory bodies, highlighting the importance of a supply chain that prioritizes strong animal welfare practice
Mrs. Le Van, Director of Sales at Safe Food, shared: “We understand that this journey may pose challenges, but we are wholeheartedly committed to working closely with Gia Vien Farm, our customers, and our partners to ensure a seamless and successful transition. Our customers can continue to trust Safe Food for safe, high-quality products that adhere to the highest ethical and quality standards.”
Ms. An Tran, HSI’s Farm Animal Welfare and Protection Viet Nam Program Manager, extended a message of appreciation, stating: “Safe Food‘s decision to go cage-free will relieve hens from a life of extreme confinement and sends a clear message to the egg industry that the future of egg production is cage-free.” Tran further emphasized, “We look forward to working together to create a brighter future for hens in the country by ending the use of cages.”
Cage-free production systems, like those at Gia Vien Farm, offer hens higher levels of welfare. In collaboration with Safe Food and other food industry stakeholders such as Vinh Thanh Dat Food Corporation, Mondelēz Kinh Do, and Fusion Hotel Group in Viet Nam and worldwide, HSI is dedicated to facilitating a successful transition to higher animal welfare production systems such as cage and crate-free.
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Media contact: Tham Hong Phuong, country director for HSI in Viet Nam ; phuongth@hsi.org
Rotruedee restaurant is now cage-free
Humane Society International / Southeast Asia
Grigorios Moraitis/Getty Images
Update: As of October 2023, Rotruedee has published that it no longer buys eggs from caged hens.
BANGKOK, Thailand—Rotruedee, an authentic Thai restaurant, fully switched to cage-free eggs shortly after discussions with Humane Society International. Rotruedee’s swift shift to cage-free eggs is driven by their conviction that superior quality and compassionate sourcing of ingredients are pivotal factors to the flavor of the food they serve and the restaurant’s popularity and long-term growth.
The majority of the 95.8 million hens used for egg production in Thailand spend their entire lives in wire cages the size of an A4 sheet of paper, so small hens can’t spread their wings or take more than few steps. In such production systems, hens are unable to express important natural behaviors, including nesting, perching and dustbathing, all of which are possible in cage-free systems. Hens are sentient, intelligent and sociable animals. Scientific studies have shown that they can count, empathize with their chicks, enjoy social activities such as dustbathing, and can anticipate the future, which in turn affects their decision making.
Mr. Tupnapaat Jarumpornsakul, founder of Rotruedee, says: “When we set up this restaurant, we wanted to create an excellent and authentic Thai restaurant with reasonable prices offering a unique mix of common and rare dishes. After dialogue with Humane Society International, we understand how hens suffer in cages, and immediately chose to make a commitment to go cage-free. Improving animal welfare is a part of our goal of celebrating food and sustainability. We love to make the best food and want to make the biggest positive impact we can for society.”
“Thai people love animals, and Rotruedee’s commitment is a part of the growing cage-free movement in Thailand. We hope that Rotruedee’s quick implementation of its policy will inspire more restaurants to stop buying caged eggs,” said Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand Program Manager for Farm Animal Welfare at Humane Society International.
Humane Society International’s work to improve the welfare of animals in agriculture is both science-based and collaborative. The organization works with companies, farmers, processors, scientists and certifiers to support a transition to cage-free housing systems, and offers a wide range of support to companies including farm visits, consumer education and corporate roundtables and workshops to enhance their supply chains.
ENDS
Media contact: Lalada Tangjerdjaras, Thailand program manager for farm animal welfare and protection at Humane Society International, ltangjerdjaras@hsi.org
