Michigan eggs must be cage-free by 2025 as new sales law takes effect
Michigan law requires retailers to only sell cage-free eggs by Dec. 31. Shutterstock photo by Colleen Michaels.
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan)
As you do your holiday shopping, you may notice new signs in Michigan grocery stores that differentiate cage-free eggs from conventional eggs and warn that some varieties will soon be discontinued.
It’s because of a 2019 state law that is only now taking effect, and experts say it could lead to some price increases.
Beginning Dec. 31, Michigan retailers will only be allowed to sell cage-free shell eggs. Retailers must also purchase their eggs from cage-free farms only.
The law was sponsored by Republican state Sen. Kevin Daley of Lum and signed into law by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist five years ago.
At the time, Gilchrist said the law would ensure Michigan’s “standards are amongst the strongest in the nation when it comes to protecting animal welfare, while ensuring that egg producers are able to continue to thrive.”
What this means for consumers
Cage-free housing is defined by the Animal Industry Act as an indoor or outdoor controlled environment for egg-laying hens to roam freely with provided “enrichments” that allow the hens to exhibit natural behaviors, such as scratch areas, perches, nest boxes and dust bathing areas.
In order to comply with the new law, some egg producers may have to change many of their facilities, which could require significant financial investments.
That could “be passed down to the consumer as well,” said David Ortega food economist and professor at Michigan State University.
Cage-free eggs tend to be more expensive than conventional eggs, with the average price of $3.33 compared to $2.88 respectively, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
The demand for eggs also tends to increase during this time of year when everyone is cooking and baking for the holidays, which also drives prices up.
“When prices rise, people might reduce a little bit of purchases,” Ortega said, “but not by a lot, because there really aren’t any good substitutes for eggs.”
Egg prices are already volatile because of the bird flu, which has affected more than 100 million birds, including 6 million in Michigan, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About those signs
Anticipating implementation of the law, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel earlier this year sent a letter to grocers urging them to clearly identify which eggs are cage-free and which ones are not.
“Every consumer deserves to feel confident about the food they put on their dinner table,” Nessel said in a July statement. “Confusing or misleading marketing can make it difficult for customers to choose the products that are right for them.”
The law doesn’t apply to shell eggs from a farm that has less than 3,000 egg-laying hens. In those limited cases involving smaller farms, retailers aren’t required to buy or sell cage-free eggs.
The responsibility is “on any business owner who sells shell eggs to ensure the eggs meet the state requirements,” according to the law.
This article is being republished through a syndication agreement with Bridge Michigan. Bridge Michigan is Michigan’s largest nonprofit news service and one of the nation’s leading and largest nonprofit civic news providers. Their coverage is nonpartisan, fact-based, and data-driven. Find them online at https://www.bridgemi.com/.
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