The news comes after Iceland came under pressure from animal welfare groups for dropping its commitment to stop selling eggs from caged hens by the end of 2025.
Iceland said that it took the decision in order to “keep offering affordable essentials for families”, but that the piloting of RSPCA assured barn eggs was part of its “ongoing work to offer a wider range of welfare options at prices people can afford”.
If the pilot is successful, Iceland said it would be extended further across more stores.
Commenting on the trial, director of product, process and sustainability at Iceland Foods, Stuart Lendrum, said: “We’re pleased to be able to announce this new pilot and hope it will prove popular with customers.
“I’m aware we’ve faced some criticism from animal welfare groups about continuing to offer eggs from enriched cages beyond this year. I understand that but the reality is that we’ve been honest and make no apologies for prioritising supporting families in being able to put essentials on the table during the cost-of-living crisis.
“We are small part of the egg market and committed to giving customers a choice - this new RSPCA assured barn egg pilot widens the range of welfare options available and all at a fair price.”
According to Iceland’s own data for 2023-24, 71% of its eggs sold came from caged hens. By comparison, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, M&S and the Co-op are already cage-free, while Lidl, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi are all “on track” to go ‘cage-free’ by the end of this year.
The Humane League UK has protested outside multiple Iceland stores in recent months over its continued sale of eggs from caged hens.
Commenting on the move to trial barn eggs, head of programmes at the charity, Katie Ferneyhough, said: “It is absurd that Iceland is boasting about trialling cage-free eggs when it was supposed to be cage-free by the end of this year. Their animal welfare plans have gone miles backwards, and yet they want praise for these baby steps? What have they spent the last 9 years since their cage-free commitment doing?
“They are charging their customers more for eggs from caged hens, who endure frustrated, painful lives, than other supermarkets charge for cage-free eggs. Only reinstating their cage-free commitment can redeem this cruelty.”
The RSPCA assured scheme, which has assured the barn eggs being trialled by Iceland, has also faced criticism after animal cruelty was discovered on farms involved in the scheme. This led to the resignation of Chris Packham and Caroline Lucas from their senior roles at the RSPCA.
