Eco-friendly eggs: CP Foods debuts first carbon-neutral cage-free egg in Asia

08 Aug 2023 --- Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company (CP Foods) has unveiled Asia’s first-ever carbon-neutral cage-free egg. 

The product has received certification from the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), reflecting CP Foods’ commitment to promoting the consumption of animal-friendly and environmentally-friendly eggs. 

Somkid Wannalukkhee, head of the Egg Business at CP Foods, underscores its dedication to developing low-carbon products to minimize environmental impacts across the value chain. 

“The Egg Business Unit has been actively implementing various projects, such as installing automated egg conveyors, reducing food loss based on FAO principles, utilizing eggshells efficiently, and adopting alternative energy sources like solar panels and biogas systems in layer farms and egg production processes.”

As a result of these efforts, 23 categories of fresh egg and cage-free eggs received certification with the Carbon Footprint Reduction Label (CFR) or Global Warming Reduction Label last year. CP Foods’ cage-free eggs brand, U Farm, has become Asia’s first “carbon-neutral cage-free egg.” 

“This initiative of producing carbon-neutral cage-free eggs is yet another step by the company toward increasing the availability of low-carbon food products, supporting conscious consumers who prioritize animal welfare and environmentally-friendly sourcing. Carbon-neutral cage-free eggs offer better nutrition and present an ethical choice for consumers,” Wannalukkhee notes. 

U Farm eggs
CP Foods’ cage-free eggs brand, U Farm, had previously received the “Global Warming Reduction” label from GTO, and this year, the company took additional measures to offset any remaining emissions through carbon credit purchase, showcasing its commitment to decarbonization in food production. 

CP Foods’ cage-free eggs brand, U Farm, had previously received the “Global Warming Reduction” label.CP Foods’ egg products with the “Global Warming Reduction Label” have demonstrated good performance with a 30% greenhouse gas emission reduction below the industry average.

Last year, 23 global warming reduction egg products contributed to a reduction of 617,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalence. 

CP Foods ensures its cage-free eggs come from special breeding layer hens, raised in a cage-free layer system within enclosed houses, adhering to internationally recognized standards and certified by Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development. 

The environment inside the houses are equipped with automated conveyor belts to move eggs from egg-laying spots to storage rooms. Furthermore, the houses maintain high sanitary and biosafety standards, supervised by biosecurity hi-tech farming guidelines, to ensure the welfare and protection of the chickens’ health on the farm. 

The layer hens are fed with grain feed and benefit from the addition of probiotic microorganisms that boost their immune systems and overall health. As a result, hens are raised without antibiotics throughout the raising period. This system guarantees safer and fresher eggs than conventional eggs, and its packaging is made of recycled paper. 

Renewable farms and low-carbon products
CP Foods is actively pursuing solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from egg production and aims to develop further cage-free layer farms that operate as renewable farms. 

In 2022, the company introduced 818 low-carbon products, including chicken meat, pork meat, duck meat, and eggs, with 56 products classified as low-carbon and bearing the “Global Warming Reduction Label.” 

This effort aligns with CP Foods’ goal of achieving 40% of its total revenue from green revenue by 2030. 

Earlier this year, Food Ingredients First reported that global food companies are transitioning to cage-free eggs at unprecedented rates, according to data released by the Open Wing Alliance in its Cage-Free Fulfillment Report.

Edited by Elizabeth Green