As part of our initiative for more responsible food choices, called“A TABLE,”we have been working for several years to sourcehigher-quality eggs that better respect animal welfare.
Free-range eggs: an important issue for consumers
In recent years, consumers have become increasingly concerned about animal welfare. As a result, many of them prefer eggs from free-range hens.
In fact, several figures highlight this trend:
• 89% of French people support a ban on caged chicken farming*
• 62% of French people prefer organic and free-range chicken, regardless of price**
• 88% of French people find the information on egg cartons in stores about how the hens are raised helpful, and 86% say this information reassures them**
Our concrete commitments regarding free-range eggs
For several years now, Grands Moulins de Paris has been transitioning to eggs and egg products sourced from non-cage farming systems.
Today, our commitment goes even further: 100% of the egg products used to make our "Meuniers" and "Francine" products, as well as those for our commercial customers, come from French free-range farms.
Over at Francine, these commitments apply to the two product lines that include eggs among their ingredients: brioche mixes and pancake mixes (for crêpes, pancakes, and waffles).
Regarding the Mon Moulin Recipes, eggs and egg products are gradually being switched to eggs from barn-raised hens. The goal is to have all of the brand’s products meet this standard by 2025.
A process that spans several years
Anne-Vanessa PROFIZI, Director of Product Innovation, explains that“this process spans several years, with various milestones along the way. In particular, this allows outdoor farming operations to get up and running, ensuring a high-quality and reliable supply for us.”
She also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the necessary rigor in this type of procurement because“the entire supply chain is involved, so we must ensure that every link in the chain fulfills its role to make this collective commitment a reality.”
A process that spans several years
The transition to free-range eggs also requiredsignificant upstream sourcing efforts,the ins and outs of which are explained byIsabelle ETOURNEAU, Manager of Raw Materials & Ingredients Procurement:
“We select our suppliers based on their technological capabilities, reputation, and reliability, in accordance with our food safety and traceability requirements, and, of course, their ability to deliver to us in accordance with the negotiated purchase terms.”
So-called alternative farming systems have required significant reforms since their introduction, as well as major investments by farmers to comply with current legislation and animal welfare standards. Thus, with our current supplier of powdered eggs, we have transitioned to these alternative methods according to a set schedule: to floor-reared laying hens starting July 1, 2020, and to free-range laying hens starting July 1, 2021. This is the only supplier in France that guarantees us “free-range” eggs sourced from contract farming within the supply chain.
These contracts adhere to very specific guidelines that include particular farming practices. These include, for example, standards regarding the size and orientation of buildings, stocking density, transport methods (which must ensure biosecurity), production management, cleaning, and so on. This includes regulations on nests, perches, the hens’ movement within the space… all the way down to their feed.
"These farms are inspected regularly, and traceability is ensured from the shelled eggs at the supplier’s facility (scanned before cracking) all the way to the hatcheries. Factory and farm tours can be arranged as needed to better understand the challenges of the industry."
Updated March 2022:
Due to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) across the country, a poultry confinement order has been in effect since September 10, 2021, in the first departments affected.
The European Regulation (Regulation 2017/2168, amending Regulation 589/2008) allows the label “eggs from free-range hens” to remain on the packaging for a continuous period of up to 16 weeks from the date the laying hens were confined.
With the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (DGCCRF) is granting, for France, an exemption to allow the retention on labels of the statement “eggs from free-range hens,” beyond the expiration of the period covered by the European Union Regulation and throughout the entire period during which the poultry confinement measures imposed by health authorities remain in effect.
*Survey conducted by YouGov for L214 / February 2018
**Survey conducted by the INC and the CNA on the labeling of farming methods / May 2019
