Melco Resorts & Entertainment announced in a statement last week that it has recently achieved its goal of sourcing 100 percent of eggs from cage-free hens by 2025 across its entire global portfolio.
The integrated resort (IR) operator said that the initiative towards cage-free eggs started in 2020. They partnered with non-governmental organisation (NGO) Lever Foundation, which strives to create “a more humane and sustainable protein supply in Asia”, with the company working with local distributors to “secure a sufficient and reliable supply and create economies of scale to facilitate the switch to cage-free eggs”.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho Yau Lung said in the statement that they were delighted to have met their goal, with all F&B outlets across their global portfolio, including in Macau, the Philippines and Cyprus, now serving cage-free eggs, reflecting the company’s “deeper ambition to embed sustainability into procurement”.
“We will continue to take a closer look at how we source, who we work with and where we can do better – pushing for greater transparency, strengthening commitments across key categories and deepening engagement with suppliers”, Ho said in the statement.
Lever Foundation Sustainability Programme Director Lily Tse was quoted by the statement as saying: “The step Melco has taken towards promoting animal welfare and sustainable food practices in the region has significantly helped other food companies, such as caterers, eateries, bakeries and more, transition to cage-free eggs. We look forward to working with Melco to expand their animal welfare policies in the future.”
Cage free eggs, according to the statement, are “produced by hens that are free to roam in barns and natural environments, rather than being confined to small cages”, with research showing that they present reduced food safety risks compared to caged eggs.
This undated handout photo provided by Melco Resorts & Entertainment shows its properties in Cotai.
