Leading organic producer accused of animal cruelty, misleading organic claims in egg production
An animal rights NGO alleged that the company's hens were confined to spaces smaller than an A4 paper, severely limiting their ability to move or engage in natural behaviours.
SHAH ALAM - A recent investigation has revealed disturbing conditions in the egg production process of a Malaysian producer, distributor and retailer of organic products, casting doubt on the company’s animal welfare standards.
Known for promoting wholesome and sustainable practices, the company has come under fire after an investigation by international animal rights organisation (NGO) Sinergia Animal uncovered shocking conditions at the company’s egg supplier.
In a report it recently published, Sinergia alleged that the company's hens were confined to cramped, unsanitary cages, contradicting its organic image and raising concerns over animal cruelty and poor conditions in their supply chain.
Sinergia in a statement said the hens were confined to spaces smaller than an A4 paper, severely limiting their ability to move or engage in natural behaviours.
Sinergia executive director Carolina Galvani said the company was a leading producer, distributor and retailer.
"With this evidence, we confirm that its (organic producer company) supply chain includes battery cages, a system not allowed by organic standards, one of the cruellest animal farming systems and unsanitary conditions," she said.
Galvani emphasised that this practice presented a "tremendous contradiction" to the company's claims of being 100 per cent organic, adding that it misled Malaysian consumers.
The unsanitary conditions found at the company’s egg supplier were described as alarming, with piles of faeces and feathers accumulating beneath the cages, posing serious health risks to both the animals and potentially to consumers.
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), cage systems like these have a higher prevalence of Salmonella, a bacteria responsible for thousands of human deaths annually.
Furthermore, the hens allegedly suffered from stress, feather loss and weakened bones due to forced moulting practices, a technique that was banned in many countries but allegedly still in use within the company's operations.
Galvani also expressed her frustration with the company's silence on the matter, claiming that this level of animal suffering was unacceptable and the company must take immediate action to address it.
In contrast, other major Malaysian retailers like Mydin, Lotus’s and Oldtown White Coffee have already pledged to eliminate eggs from battery cage systems, putting additional pressure on the company to follow suit.
"Malaysia has been slow to adopt animal welfare reforms compared to other countries, ranking last among 17 nations in the Asia Cage-Free Benchmark with a score of only four out of 140.
"The use of battery cages has been banned in various parts of the world, including the European Union and certain states in the United States (US), yet they remain prevalent in Malaysia," she said.
Sinergia's report highlighted the growing awareness of the welfare issues linked to these systems, with more companies and governments pushing for reforms.
As of now, the company has not publicly addressed these allegations.
Sinergia continued to call on the company to adopt more humane practices and move away from battery cage systems entirely.
