Within the framework of our approach for a more responsible food supplyIn the framework of our " A TABLE " program, we have been moving for several years towards a more qualitative and animal welfare friendly egg supply.
Free range eggs: an important issue for consumers
For several years now, consumers have been increasingly sensitive to the animal cause. In this perspective, many of them prefer eggs from hens that have been raised in the open air.
Several figures highlight this trend:
- 89% of French people are in favor of banning the raising of chickens in cages*.
- 62% of French people prefer organic and free-range chicken farming, regardless of price**.
- 88% of the French are helped by the information on the method of rearing hens on the egg boxes in stores and 86% say they are reassured by this information**.
Our concrete commitments to free-range eggs
For several years, Grands Moulins de Paris has already undertaken a transition towards eggs and egg products from alternative farms to cages.
Today, our commitment goes even further with 100% of the egg products needed to manufacture our milling products, Francine or for our professional customers, coming from French free-range farms.
On the part of Francinethese commitments concern the two product lines that include eggs in their ingredients: brioche flours and preparations (for pancakes, pancakes and waffles).
Concerning the Recipes from Mon MoulinThe aim is to gradually switch all of the brand's references to eggs produced from eggs laid on the ground. The goal is to have all the brand's references comply with this requirement by 2025.
A process that takes place over several years
Anne-Vanessa PROFIZI, Director of Product Innovation, explains that "this approach is spread over several years, with different commitment milestones. This will allow the free-range breeding networks to be set up in order to guarantee us a quality and secure supply".
She also stresses the importance of the rigor necessary for this type of supply because "it is an entire industry that is mobilized, so we must ensure that each link ensures its role so that the collective commitment exists.
A process that takes place over several years
The switch to free-range eggs also required significant upstream sourcing work, which Isabelle ETOURNEAU, Raw Materials & Ingredients Purchasing Manager, explains the ins and outs of:
"We select our suppliers according to their technological aptitude, their reputation and their reliability, in compliance with our requirements in terms of food safety and traceability, and of course their ability to deliver to us according to the negotiated purchasing conditions.
The so-called alternative breeding systems have required major reforms since their implementation and large investments for the breeders in order to respect the legislation and animal welfare standards in force. Thus, with our current supplier of powdered eggs, we have switched to these alternative methods in a programmed way: in Laying on the ground from July 1, 2020 and in Open Air from July 1, 2021. This is the only supplier in France to guarantee us "Free Range" eggs from breeding contracts.
These contracts respect precise specifications with specific rearing methods. For example, they include standards concerning the size of the buildings and their exposure, the density of the farm, the transfer methods (which must ensure biosecurity), the management of production, cleaning, etc., as well as the regulation of nests, perches, the hens' routes in space, etc., right up to their food.
These farms are regularly checked and traceability can be ensured, from the shell egg at the supplier's (scanned before breaking) to the hatcheries. Visits to factories and farms can be organized if necessary to better understand the constraints of the industry.
Update March 2022:
The epidemic situation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on the national territory has imposed a confinement of poultry since September 10, 2021, for the first departments concerned.
The European Regulation (Regulation 2017/2168, amending Regulation 589/2008) authorizes the maintenance of the indication "free-range eggs" for a maximum continuous period of 16 weeks since the date of confinement of laying hens.
With the agreement of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (DGCCRF) grants, for France, a derogation to authorize the maintenance on labels of the mention "free-range eggs", beyond the end of the period covered by the European Union Regulation and during the whole period of application of the measures of poultry confinement imposed by the health authorities
*Survey conducted by YouGov for L214 / February 2018
**Consultation conducted by INC and NAC on the labeling of farming methods / May 2019
