Spain: “Eggs from chickens on the ground” are now called “eggs from loose chickens in the coop”

The European Commission has published three regulations updating egg marketing standards throughout the European Union. One of the new features of the review is the change in the names of some of the production systems on the packaging, to facilitate consumers making informed decisions at the time of purchase, according to the Interprofessional Organization of Eggs and Egg Products ( INPROVO). “Eggs from hens raised on the floor” (with code 2 marked on the shell) are now called “eggs from hens raised loose in the henhouse”, and those from cages (marked with code 3) will be identified from now on as of “eggs from chickens raised in conditioned cages.” These are the only cages allowed in the European Union. Those used in most third countries, known as conventional cages, house more hens per square meter and lack equipment such as perches, nests, digging material, nail file and greater height, which are mandatory in the EU. The names of the four egg production systems are as follows: ...