Heinz has quietly switched the type of eggs used in its Seriously Good Mayonnaise, replacing free-range eggs with cage-free eggs. The change, announced in March 2026 and implemented the following month, has drawn criticism from animal welfare activists.
Why Heinz Made the Switch
The company cited persistent avian flu outbreaks across Europe as the primary reason. Free-range hens are increasingly housed indoors to curb the spread of the virus, making it difficult to source free-range eggs at the scale required. Heinz stated: "Due to increased outbreaks of avian flu across Europe, free-range hens are increasingly placed inside barns in order to curb further spread. As a result, we are unable to source free-range eggs at the scale we require."
Animal Welfare Concerns
Animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming criticized the move, noting that temporary housing measures allow eggs to retain free-range status on labeling when hens are housed indoors for limited periods. A spokesperson said: "Rather than abandoning free-range systems, Heinz should focus on supporting free-range producers and maintaining higher-welfare standards during periods of mandatory confinement."
Heinz's Response
A Heinz spokesperson defended the decision: "The industry has faced persistent challenges from avian flu over the past several years. To protect our supply and ensure we can deliver the products consumers love, we made the decision in March to begin transitioning to cage-free eggs that meet barn egg standards set by the EU Council Directive on the welfare of laying hens."
