asshole! 85% of eggs are not labeled production system

Have you eaten eggs today? Do you know how to choose good eggs? Animal protection groups said that the quality of eggs is closely related to their "production system." However, when investigating fresh eggs on the market, they found that as many as 85% of Taiwan eggs did not have production systems labeled, and product labels were confusing, with at least 15 different logos and inconsistent production advertising terms, leaving shoppers confused. They suggested that the Council of Agriculture should formulate clear labeling standards.

In order to safeguard animal welfare, consumer food safety and environmental sustainability, the Taiwan Animal Society Research Association surveyed 66 fresh eggs sold in the domestic market in August. The results showed that 85% of the samples did not indicate the production system, and 25% did not indicate the source ranch. They only marked the agent or stated that the origin was Taiwan, leaving consumers with no way of understanding the production method or source of the eggs.

Only 15% of the production systems that determine the quality of eggs are labeled and indicated, but due to different terminology, such as water-curtain-type enclosed constant temperature breeding farms, German-made breeding equipment, raised bed breeding and production, central computer-controlled modern chicken houses, etc., consumers are still confused.

As for the labels, the investigation found that at least 15 labels were found in 66 commercially available egg packaging, but only four of them, namely "TAP Agricultural Products with Production and Sales History", "CAS", "Organic Agricultural Products" and "HACCP", had legal basis and penalties. The tracking and verification mechanism of most labels was unclear and the information was not disclosed.

Zhu Zenghong, executive director of the Taiwan Animal Society Research Association, said that international research has repeatedly confirmed that food animals are treated well, have basic space to exhibit natural behaviors and meet physiological needs, and are healthier and safer for human consumption. If laying hens are under pressure throughout their lives, their intestinal tract will be infected with extremely high levels of pathogens, which puts consumers at a higher risk of contracting "food-borne" pathogens.

In response, Zhu Zenghong called on the Council of Agriculture to formulate "production system" labeling standards as soon as possible, and to label them in accordance with the common terms for egg production systems internationally, including battery cage, enriched cage, barn, free range and organic. Only with clear terms and labels can consumers, farmers and animal welfare be protected.

Legislator Li Tonghao also said that through the labeling of egg production systems, consumers can actively choose the egg quality they want, and it can also encourage the breeding of laying hens to gradually catch up with international standards. In the past, the most commonly used cage farming method in Taiwan focused on large-scale production and sales. Although it had great economic benefits, it was relatively energy-consuming and carbon-intensive. If it could be changed to grazing or flat-feeding production methods, it would help agricultural sustainability.