Campaign ends as Ahold Delhaize agrees to improving standards for animals
Global food retailer Ahold Delhaize has formally agreed to shift its U.S. supply chain away from cages for hens and pigs. The announcement follows a year-long campaign by animal protection organizations, including Animal Equality.
We were proud of this achievement for animals, and want to recognize the many organizations in the U.S. and abroad whose campaign work made this agreement possible.
Under the agreement, Ahold Delhaize will source its products from suppliers that no longer keep animals in cages. The company is also committed to issuing annual progress reports to ensure accountability. Ahold Delhaize’s commitment is estimated to affect about 5-7 million hens, as well as thousands of female breeding pigs.
“Ahold Delhaize is showing responsibility by eliminating one of the cruelest farming practices in industrial agriculture. We are pleased with the company’s announcement and call on its competitors, Kroger and Target, to follow their lead.
—Sharon Núñez, President of Animal Equality
Changes to be seen at major U.S. grocery brands
The updated standards will apply across Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. grocery brands, including Stop & Shop, Giant Food, Hannaford, and Food Lion.
The company has also pledged to introduce clearer signage in its U.S. stores in 2026 that will discourage consumers from buying caged eggs. The sourcing changes will be phased in over the next several years, with a complete ban on pigs by 2028 and on hens by 2032.
The advocacy campaign spanned multiple countries
Animal Equality’s campaign included shareholder engagement, corporate dialogue, public demonstrations, and the release of investigative footage tied to the company’s supply chain.
Advocacy actions took place in U.S. cities including Portland, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Quincy, Rosemont, and Salibury; as well as internationally in São Paulo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Hamburg, Holzminden, Mexico City, Milan, Zaandam, Amsterdam, Madrid, and London.
The campaign was supported by several animal protection organizations and activists from around the world.
This pledge is a step forward in our work to end animal cruelty. We want to recognize the many organizations in the U.S. and abroad whose work also made this announcement possible.
—Sharon Núñez, President of Animal Equality
Why this matters for animals
Cages are used in factory farms to house large numbers of animals in small spaces. Animal protection organizations have long criticized these cages for restricting animals’ movement and natural behaviors.
Nearly a dozen U.S. states have passed laws limiting or banning cages. Similar restrictions are in place in the European Union, where Ahold Delhaize is headquartered. This agreement adds Ahold Delhaize to a list of major retailers and restaurants attempting to keep up with consumer demands for animals.
What’s next?
Animal Equality is dedicated to continuing dialogue with Ahold Delhaize to monitor progress and ensure the company follows through on its commitment. At the same time, Animal Equality is urging consumers, investors, and policymakers to support stronger standards across the food industry and help fight against the cruelest farming practices to advance towards an end to animal cruelty.
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With rich emotional lives and unbreakable family bonds, farmed animals deserve to be protected.
You can build a kinder world by replacing animal food products with plant‑based ones.
