MBRF completes global transition target for the use of cage-free eggs in industrial processes
Target already consolidated in Brazil since 2020 now extends to international operations. The achievement reinforces the company’s progress in its sustainability agenda and in animal welfare practices
MBRF, one of the largest food companies in the world, announces the completion of its transition to the exclusive use of cage-free eggs in its global industrial processes. The commitment, already fulfilled in Brazil since 2020, now extends to international operations, consolidating an importante advancement in sustainability and animal welfare and anticipating the global target originally set for December 2025.
Implementing the use of cage-free eggs in international operations involved a joint effort with local suppliers, especially in markets such as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, where cagefree egg production still presents challenges. The company worked in partnership with producers to enable investments, incorporate new practices, and ensure the supply of inputs aligned with the highest animal welfare standards. In addition, it implemented protocols focused on traceability and compliance with international references, maintaining continuous monitoring to ensure the long-term sustainability of the achieved target.
The global adoption of the cage-free system reflects MBRF’s commitment to more ethical and sustainable production practices. “The model eliminates the confinement of birds in cages, allowing them to express natural behaviors and move freely. Aligned with the One Health principles in food production, this practice contributes significantly to animal welfare and meets the expectations of customers and consumers who are increasingly attentive to the origin and responsibility of companies,” explains Ivomar Oldoni, MBRF’s director of agriculture.
The completion of the transition to the cage-free system is only one of the various animal welfare targets established by MBRF. The company has already achieved other relevant commitments, such as ensuring that 100% of the birds in the integration system are raised cage-free. It has also completed the certification of 100% of its slaughtering units in animal welfare globally and the elimination of surgical castration in the swine production chain. As a result of these and other advancements, the company remains among the highest-ranked in the sector in importante international benchmarks and indices, such as the BBFAW (Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare), the world’s leading index for farm animal welfare management.
Sustainability at MBRF
Animal welfare is one of the six pillars that support MBRF’s Sustainability Platform, which seeks to reconcile productivity with the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. The company adopts practices that protect biomes, promote animal welfare, and respect human rights. Its initiatives include efficient water and energy use, better food utilization, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and responsible supply chain management — with a focus on origin control, combating deforestation, and promoting social inclusion.
MBRF applies high animal welfare standards throughout its production chain, establishing commitments for the farming of poultry, swine, and cattle, guided by national and international guidelines that ensure proper care and humane slaughter, both in its own operations and in supplier operations.
During the handling of cattle, poultry, and swine — from the farm to the production units — the company guarantees compliance with the Five Domains of animal welfare: adequate nutrition, good health, comfortable environment, natural behavior, and mental state. These principles emerged as an expansion of the Five Freedoms of Animals, offering a broader and more holistic approach to evaluating animal welfare. They were established by the Farm Animal Welfare Council, an independent British council recognized globally as a reference in defining animal welfare parameters.
About MBRF
MBRF is one of the largest global food companies, present in 117 countries and offering a multi-protein portfolio that includes beef, pork, and poultry, as well as processed products, ready-to-eat meals, and pet food. With strong and iconic brands such as Sadia, Perdigão, Sadia Bassi, Perdigão Montana, Perdigão na Brasa, Qualy, Banvit, and Paty, the company brings together 130,000 employees worldwide and produces around 8 million tons of food per year, serving more than 425,000 clients and millions of consumers across the globe. MBRF combines expertise, innovation, and efficiency in a 100% integrated platform, guided by simplicity, excellence, and sustainable practices. The company monitors consumer trends and habits to offer the most complete portfolio in the market, with quality, competitiveness, and socio-environmental responsibility.