White Eggs: Greenwash or Genuine Win for Hens?

Sainsbury's has announced a shift to offering only white-shelled eggs for its own brand, citing environmental benefits and improved hen welfare. The supermarket chain asserts that white-feathered hens are more productive, live longer, and consume less feed, leading to an estimated 12% reduction in carbon emissions compared to brown egg layers.

This initiative aims to reduce emissions and water usage, potentially freeing up land. White eggs, which now constitute about 15% of the UK's national layer flock, have become more common in supermarkets since the Covid-19 pandemic. While some, like Andrew Montford of Net Zero Watch, express skepticism and label the move as potential greenwashing, others, such as Jez Fredenburgh of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, view it as a positive development for both consumers and animal welfare.