In a thoughtless U-turn, Iceland has abandoned its pledge to sell only cage-free shell eggs by 2025 - a commitment it first made a decade ago. This reversal is a major setback for animal welfare in Iceland’s supply chain and leaves the retailer trailing behind the UK’s top supermarkets.

According to our 2023 EggTrack report, over 60% of Iceland’s eggs still come from caged hens. Alongside Open Cages, the RSPCA, and The Humane League UK, we have issued an open letter urging Iceland to honour its original commitment.

In the UK approximately 7 million laying hens endure most of their lives in so-called 'enriched' cages. Scientific research shows that caged systems cause immense suffering for hens, severely restricting their ability to express natural behaviours such as nesting, perching and dustbathing.

A clear contradiction

The UK egg industry is now 82% cage-free, with major retailers like Tesco, Lidl, and Aldi are making steady progress, while others including M&S, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, and Waitrose have been 100% cage-free across both shell eggs and egg products for years.

Iceland claims caged eggs are necessary to keep prices low for its customers. Yet, in a clear contradiction, its caged eggs are currently more expensive than Tesco’s higher-welfare barn eggs - undermining its affordability argument.

A step backwards

Philip Lymbery, our Global CEO, said:

Once a cage-free commitment is made, it must be honoured with meaningful action. After nearly a decade to act there’s simply no excuse for delay. It’s shameful that Iceland is prioritising profit over moral ethics. Everyone deserves access to higher welfare food, regardless of their income.

Iceland’s decision to abandon its cage-free pledge isn’t just a broken promise, it’s a betrayal of trust and a step backwards for animal welfare. It’s time for Iceland to catch up with the rest of the sector and make cage-free its baseline, not the exception.

Laying out future legislation

Without legislation to level the playing field, responsible businesses are being undercut by those that delay. We are calling on Defra End the Cage Age for egg-laying hens and all other farmed animals as part of its Animal Welfare Strategy.

Missing the 2025 cage-free commitment deadline is more than a supply chain issue, it’s a reputational risk. Companies that fail to act may face backlash from customers, investors, and advocacy groups. Iceland must step up, invest in cage-free systems and ensure fair prices for its customers.

The message is clear: the future must be cage-free and the time to act is now.

Read our open letter to Iceland.

Cracks in Iceland’s promise to go cage-free