A report by the international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Lever Foundation has found that over 90 percent of top hotel groups in Macau have set a timeline for ending the use of cage eggs globally, pledging to transition to 100 percent cage-free eggs, according to a recent statement by the foundation.
Cage-free eggs, according to the 2024 Macau Hospitality Industry Cage-Free Scorecard compiled by the foundation, refer to those laid by hens living in cage-free environments where laying hens can move around freely and engage in natural behaviours. The scorecard notes that dozens of peer-reviewed scientific studies show that these hens produce eggs with “far greater food safety, higher nutritional value and quality”.
The recent report and statement define the top hotel groups as those operating “at least two 4- or 5-star hotels globally and operating in Macau”, with the local groups that have made the pledge being China Travel Service (Macao), Galaxy Entertainment Group, Macau Legend Development, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and SJM Holdings.
The international hotel groups include Accor, The Ascott, Four Seasons Hotels, GCP Hospitality, Harilela Group, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Marriott International, MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands Corp., Wynn Resorts and Artyzen Hospitality Group (Macau), according to the statement.
Meanwhile, the statement said that Global International Hotel Management and Kingston Financial Group have not yet set up a timeline to end the use of caged eggs.
Lever Foundation Sustainability Programme Director Lily Tse was quoted by the statement as saying: “This widespread industry shift to cage-free eggs in Macau, which matches a similar trend in the Hong Kong market where over 90 percent of hotel groups have also pledged to go cage-free, reflects great leadership among the region’s hospitality sector in promoting sustainable sourcing practices that benefit animals and provide higher quality food for consumers.”
The statement also went on to note that the volume of cage-free eggs sourced and sold in Macau has also “increased significantly” with the continued rise in demand among hospitality groups and other food companies, while adding that “an increasing number of consumers are also reducing or eliminating eggs from their meals entirely as the most effective way to protect the welfare of hens”.
This undated handout photo provided by the international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Lever Foundation shows a cage-free egg.
