The Morally Informed Consumer: Examining Animal Welfare Claims on Egg Labels

Abstract

The labeling of shell eggs fails to reveal the inhumane conditions under which most laying hens are raised in the United States. Most of the eggs sold in major supermarkets come from factory farms. This article examines how the failure to regulate misleading animal welfare claims on egg labels creates a risk that consumers are buying products that they otherwise would not buy. This article explains why, from a moral and a legal standpoint, consumers should avoid purchasing most eggs.

Keywords: animal ethics, animal law, animal rights, animal welfare, eggs, factory farms, hens, labeling