Animal Kingdom Foundation Starts Hitting the “Bugok!” A Billboard Calling Out False Claims Without a Cage
Billboards are often seen around NLEX but as they pass through Apalit, Pampanga, an unusual sight will greet them. A chicken with a basket of eggs next to her, staring at the street sign. As they notice the chicken, they will read a headline that says nothing: “Bugok!
This new board was unveiled by the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF). They are challenging companies that lie about sourcing cage-free eggs while refusing to disclose where those eggs actually come from. Many fail to disclose which farms they supply to or whether those farms meet any certified animal welfare standards.
The case of these companies is that they are corrupt
In Filipino, bugok means “to rot,” a pun intended by AKF to highlight the growing problem of greenwashing in the egg industry. There is a clear dishonesty behind the growing number of companies that claim to use “cage-free” eggs without showing even a shred of transparency.
According to AKF, some farmers say that some of the biggest buyers want to be available without cages, but they are reluctant when it comes to prices. They work on the assumption that the cost of cage-free eggs will be the same as regular table eggs. This is a problem as the farmers take risks to improve the welfare of the chickens, but meet their consumers lowering their prices for their egg products.
A call for transparency and honest labeling
AKF urges that a verifiable source be found hence the additional message on the billboard “Get your eggs from certified cage-free farms.” If these companies claim to use eggs from cage-free farms, it is their responsibility to back up these claims.
When companies use cage-free as a marketing badge while failing to support the very people who produce it, that’s not just misleading – it’s exploitative. For AKF, this is not just a matter of marketing. It’s a matter of integrity, consumer protection, and basic accountability. “Filipino consumers deserve loyalty,” the organization said. “If a company says they don’t have cages, they have to show proof – otherwise, that claim is bogus.”
How exactly can cage-free be guaranteed?
Locally, cage-free standards for egg farms are included under the Philippine National Standards for Cage-Free Egg Production (PNS/BAFS 312:202). Although there is no government-sanctioned free certification program, AKF works with independent cage-free research.
The system is compatible with the process used by other countries around the world. Farms must meet requirements for location, nesting areas, perches, litter, and poultry behavior before receiving certification. A clear method for identifying eggs that actually come from cage-free systems is established and supported by field testing, documentation and repeated audits.
Why is it important to be cage free?
Cage-free systems encourage chickens to roam and exhibit natural behavior as opposed to conventional cages where they spend their entire lives in cramped quarters. Cage-free egg production is a logical step towards humane egg production.
The “Bugok!” the billboard is AKF’s latest effort to educate the public and pressure companies to adopt real, verifiable animal welfare policies. By placing this message on one of the country’s busiest thoroughfares, the organization hopes to dispel false advertising about humane egg retrieval.
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