Activists end Sodexo protest after company agrees to engage on cage-free promise

Animal activists have unchained themselves from Sodexo’s headquarters in Paris after the company agreed to meet within the next month to discuss its global animal welfare policies, including in India. 

The protest, organized by Animal Equality, began earlier today as activists demanded that Sodexo take action to end the use of cages for hens. The French food services company made a previous commitment to end cage use globally by the end of 2025 but has failed to meet its own deadline.

After nearly four hours locked to the company’s headquarters, activists ended the action following a commitment from Sodexo to engage with Animal Equality.

We are pausing further actions in good faith while these discussions take place, and we expect Sodexo to come prepared with a serious global plan to end cages for hens.” – Sharon Núñez, President of Animal Equality.

Sodexo’s cage-free failure spans 43 countries

In the European Union, conventional battery cages used to confine hens are banned, but Sodexo continues to source eggs produced through these methods elsewhere.

The company operates in roughly 43 countries and serves over 100 million consumers every day. Due to Sodexo’s scale, millions of animals are affected by its missed cage-free deadline, particularly in India, where the company is furthest behind.

Animal Equality’s global cage-free campaign

The Sodexo campaign is part of Animal Equality’s broader effort to hold corporations accountable for unfulfilled cage-free pledges.

In March 2026, Animal Equality ended its campaign targeting global retailer Ahold Delhaize, after the company committed to phasing out cages for hens and pigs, publishing yearly progress reports, and adding cage-free signage in its U.S. stores. The commitment is expected to impact 5 to 7 million hens.

This progress does not happen because companies decide to change on their own. They happen when enough people refuse to look away—and choose to stand with animals. Every petition signed, message sent, protest attended, and conversation started adds pressure that corporations cannot ignore.

Join Animal Equality’s Animal Protectors, our growing network of volunteers taking action for animals. You’ll receive simple, high-impact opportunities to support campaigns like this one and help hold powerful companies accountable.

Join the Animal Protectors—Animal Equality’s action team—and be the hero the animals need.

You’ll be joined by thousands more, and together, you will win campaigns and change the world for animals.

• Changing the laws to end and punish animal cruelty.
• Show the world what happens in factory farms and slaughterhouses.
• Inspire others to respect animals and replace their exploitation for plant-based proteins.
• Persuade companies to make meaningful changes for animals.

When you join the Animal Protectors, we will be in touch with you via email.

It can be attending a protest or community event, or simple actions that we will notify you about that you can do from home, using your cell phone or computer, in just minutes:

• Sign petitions against animal cruelty.
• Contact your political representatives by sending them an email
• Call their office and let them know your position about animals.
• Post on social media to support laws that will help animals (or in opposition to those introduced by the meat industry that would harm them).
• Demand companies their involvement in animal abuse.

Because there is no excuse for animal abuse. The animals need you.

{firstname}, thank you for joining the Animal Protectors!
We will be in touch with actions you can take to help farmed animals.

Invite your loved ones to become Animals Protectors:

Your support allows us to investigate, expose, and work to end the cruelty farmed animals face.

Animals need you NOW

Start taking action! Join other Animal Protectors and get active in our Action Center.

Act Now

An error occurred, please try again later

Ready to change the world for animals? Join a community of thousands coming together for one goal: ending animal abuse.

About the Animal Protectors

CHOOSE LOVE

Chickens are emotionally complex animals capable of empathy and forming special bonds with fellow animals.

Protect these sensitive and social animals by choosing plant‑based alternatives.

Protect chickens