Grocery chain faces global backlash over animal welfare delays

• Animal Equality has launched a campaign against Ahold Delhaize–owner of Food Lion, Stop & Shop, Giant, and Hannaford–for breaking its long-standing animal welfare promises. 
• Millions of animals in Ahold Delhaize’s supply chains will remain in cramped conditions for years to come.
• While some Ahold Delhaize brands committed to ending this cruelty almost a decade ago, they have failed to report any meaningful progress. 
• In Europe, stricter laws have forced Ahold Delhaize to improve. But, weaker U.S. regulations allow extreme confinement to continue.
• Animal Equality launched secondary campaigns against Pandora Jewelry and Symrise, both of which share board member Jan Zijderveld with Ahold Delhaize. 
• Ahold Delhaize’s Supervisory Board is ultimately responsible for the company’s animal welfare decisions. 

Update April 10, 2025 – In Ahold Delhaize’s home country of the Netherlands, protesters gathered outside the company’s head office. Later that afternoon, advocates continued their outreach at a nearby store owned by a well-known Ahold Delhaize brand.

Update April 9, 2025 – Before Ahold Delhaize’s shareholder meeting in Zaandam, Netherlands, protesters leafleted outside the Monument Hotel, where shareholders were staying.

Later that afternoon, advocates gathered at the Zaantheater for the company’s shareholder meeting. In a room full of investors, Animal Equality questioned executives about their involvement in animal cruelty. 

CEO Frans Muller responded with a statement that advocates deemed “vague,” asserting that the company “take[s] animal welfare very seriously” and that “there are still quite some things to do…”

Ahold Delhaize claims to be committed to improving the lives of animals but has outlined no clear steps to address consumer concerns. – Sharon Núñez, President of Animal Equality

Outside, demonstrators presented the company with an “animal abuse award” for its use of gestation crates.

Shareholders were met with signs featuring images from a recent investigation, while a plane flew overhead with a banner highlighting the company’s inaction. Meanwhile, a mobile billboard drove through the city, showcasing investigative footage.

That evening, Animal Equality projected powerful messages onto Ahold Delhaize’s headquarters.

Update April 8, 2025 – Animal Equality released undercover footage from a Kansas pig farm tied to Ahold Delhaize—parent company of Stop & Shop, Giant, and Food Lion.

That same day, a mobile billboard circled Quincy, Massachusetts—home to Stop & Shop and Ahold Delhaize U.S. offices—playing the undercover footage. Advocates protested outside both offices, calling out Ahold Delhaize’s broken promise to mother pigs. That evening, the footage was projected onto Stop & Shop’s headquarters.

Update March 28, 2025 – Protesters gathered outside a Pandora store in Madrid, where Animal Equality’s Corporate Campaigns Associate in Spain delivered leaflets to a store employee. 

Update March 27, 2025 – In Milan, demonstrators returned to the Pandora headquarters to continue their call for accountability. 

Update March 26, 2025 – Animal Equality organized two protests at the Stop & Shop headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts–one in the morning as employees arrived, and another in the evening as they left. The action targeted Stop & Shop’s parent company, Ahold Delhaize.  

Update March 20, 2025 – In Milan, protesters demonstrated outside Pandora’s headquarters and a nearby retail location. Animal Equality staff hand-delivered two formal letters to the reception at Pandora’s headquarters—one addressed to Pandora Italia’s management and the other to board member Jan Zijderveld. Both letters were signed by Animal Equality’s Vice President for Europe.

Update March 14, 2025 – Advocates gathered outside a Pandora store in Madrid to protest the company’s board connection to Ahold Delhaize. Animal Equality’s Corporate Campaigns Associate in Spain approached the store manager and handed her leaflets in both English and Spanish, asking that they be shared with company leadership.

Update March 13, 2025 – Demonstrations were held at two Pandora stores in Milan, Italy.

Update March 12, 2025 – In Copenhagen, Animal Equality held a well-received demonstration outside Pandora’s annual shareholder meeting. Two Pandora employees photographed the protest, and a journalist working with Pandora came outside to interview Animal Equality’s co-founder, Javier Moreno, about the reasons behind the action.

On the same day in Hamburg, Germany, the organization led coordinated protests targeting Symrise, Customs Support Group, and Pandora. Customs Support Group shares Supervisory Board member Robert Jan van de Kraats with Ahold Delhaize.

Update March 5, 2025 – In Milan, protesters gathered outside the headquarters of Symrise and Pandora—two companies that share board member Jan Zijderveld with Ahold Delhaize. As a key decision-maker, Zijderveld is among those ultimately responsible for Ahold Delhaize’s animal welfare policies.

Demonstrators also protested at Pandora’s Southern Europe and MEA regional head office, calling on company leadership to address their connection to animal cruelty.

Update February 2, 2025 – Animal Equality hosted a protest at a Pandora store in New York City, urging the company to cut ties with Ahold Delhaize board member Jan Zijderveld. The protest deterred any customers from entering the store.

Update February 1, 2025 – Protesters gathered at a Pandora store in Chicago, where passersby entered the store to question staff about the protest. 

Update December 28, 2024 – Coordinated protests were held at Pandora stores in New York and Chicago. In Times Square, protesters held signs, chanted, and played footage of animals confined in cages. Despite one Pandora security guard aggressively grabbing a protester’s arm, the group remained peaceful and received support from several onlookers.

Update December 14, 2024 – Animal Equality launched a secondary campaign against Pandora Jewelry with a protest outside its New York City store. Demonstrators urged the company to cut ties with board member Jan Zijderveld, who also sits on the board of Ahold Delhaize.

Ahold Delhaize publicly claims to support animal protection, but their repeated delays and lack of transparency tell a different story. Consumers can no longer trust a company that has had policies for pigs and hens in place for years yet failed to report any real progress. It’s time for them to stop making excuses and take meaningful action. – Dane Charbeneau, Animal Equality’s Campaigns Manager

Take a stand for pigs and hens

Animal Equality is demanding Ahold Delhaize deliver clear plans to end cages for hens and pregnant pigs. Email Ahold Delhaize executives today and demand they stop delaying their promises. 

Looking to make an even greater impact? Pigs and hens suffer far beyond the cage, enduring pain for meat and eggs. By choosing plant-based meals, you offer them a life free from suffering. Every choice on your plate tells a story—make yours one of compassion and hope.