Manila: Nearly 80 percent of chain restaurant locations in the Philippines have committed to shift to cage-free egg sourcing, a move advocates said could improve food safety and nutrition standards in the industry.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lever Foundation announced that its 2025 Philippines Restaurant Industry Cage-Free Egg Scorecard showed that 47 of 67 leading restaurant brands evaluated have pledged to fully transition to cage-free eggs. These brands operate in 11,277 locations nationwide.
"With 70 percent of major restaurant brands, representing 78 percent of chain restaurant locations across the country, already committed to cage-free egg sourcing, we're witnessing the sector's recognition that animal welfare, food safety, and sustainability are essential business priorities," Lever Foundation Sustainability Program lead Robyn Del Rosario said.
Cage-free systems allow hens to move freely and engage in natural behaviors in indoor barn environments, unlike conventional battery cage systems. The group cited peer-reviewed studies indicating that eggs from cage-free systems may have improved food safety profiles, higher nutritional value, and better overall quality metrics.
The Philippine government earlier recognized the production model through animal welfare guidelines for cage-free eggs developed in 2020 by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards. Among the brands that have completed their transition are Nanyang and Peri-Peri, while major local and international chains, including Jollibee, Max's Restaurant, Shakey's, KFC, and Pizza Hut, have set timelines to implement a 100-percent cage-free sourcing.
The report said momentum accelerated over the past year, with several restaurant groups adopting cage-free egg policies covering a combined 2,140 locations. However, 20 leading chain restaurant brands have yet to announce cage-free commitments or timelines, the scorecard noted.
The scorecard evaluates companies on a four-tier scale based on implementation and commitment levels, as the industry continues its transition toward what advocates describe as safer, higher-quality egg sourcing. Lever Foundation is a global non-government association with staff operating across Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. It helps leading companies upgrade their food sourcing for a more humane, safe, and sustainable supply chain.
