Children's Health Defense By
Eggland’s Best, the second-largest U.S. egg producer, misled consumers about its packaging recyclability, animal welfare and nutritional superiority, according to a consumer advocacy group.
“We’ve been concerned that Eggland’s Best may be marketing what it calls ‘superior’ eggs when the nutritional claims about those eggs don’t hold up under testing,” Organic Consumers Association (OCA) National Director Rose Welch told The Defender.
“We’ve also identified representations that Eggland’s Best makes about the recyclability of its packaging and welfare of the egg-laying hens in its supply chain that we allege don’t comport with reality,” she said. “These types of claims matter to consumers, and they shouldn’t be made if they are misleading or untrue.”
In a lawsuit filed March 14 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, OCA challenged Eggland’s claims that its eggs contain “superior nutrition” compared to “ordinary eggs,” and that they have fewer calories, less cholesterol and less total fat.
The complaint alleges that independent investigations by other groups and commissioned by OCA attorneys found Eggland Best’s eggs don’t have fewer calories, less fat or cholesterol as the company claims and are therefore not “nutritionally superior.”
OCA also disputed the popular brand’s claim that its “flocks are always handled … humanely,” and that “space requirement in cages … are adequate for normal function and behavior.”
The consumer group cited Eggland’s own statements that its hens are raised in conventional caged systems. OCA also said such systems are not humane and the American Veterinary Medical Association has determined that they restrict normal, comfortable and healthy functioning for hens.
An undercover investigation by the Humane Society also documented “extreme cage confinement” at an Eggland’s-affiliated facility.
According to OCA, Eggland’s Best falsely claims its packaging is delivered “in the most environment-friendly way” in polystyrene cartons that are “recyclable” and accepted by “more and more communities … in their recycling programs.”
Most recycling programs don’t accept polystyrene materials, which take approximately 500 years to decompose, OCA said. In fact, polystyrene is so environmentally unfriendly that many cities and states have banned its sale entirely.
False product claims about issues consumers care about mislead them and affect their decision-making when they seek out — and choose to pay more for — products they believe are better for their health, more humane and more environmentally sustainable, plaintiffs contend…
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE… (childrenshealthdefense.org)
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