Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl warning to anyone who buys eggs

Changes will be made to the way eggs are sold in supermarkets

Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl shoppers will see changes to the way eggs are labelled and sold. The Government has amended rules surrounding free-range eggs.

Currently, producers and packers have to change how eggs are labelled when there is an outbreak of bird flu and hens are kept inside cages. But under new measures, they will not have to make changes to labels when there are 'mandatory bird flu housing measures'.

The move will 'reduce cost pressures on egg producers and packers and boost supply chains', according to the Government. But it will mean that certain shoppers will have no way of knowing when a chicken is being kept in a cage despite 'free range' labelling.

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When there is an avian influenza outbreak, even free-range chickens are put into barns and cages. 'Mandatory housing measures' are introduced to 'protect birds from the spread of disease'.

Eggs from free-range birds currently can only be labelled as 'free-range' for 16 weeks after the housing order has come into effect - the existing 'derogation' period under the Egg Marketing Standards Regulations. But after this period, eggs must then be labelled as barn eggs.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs the 16-week derogation period was previously extended between 2021 and 2023 which led to 'significant costs' as egg packaging had to be changed to comply with legislation. It added: "The amends to existing legislation, which will be introduced through a Statutory Instrument later this year, will mean that free-range eggs can continue to be labelled as such throughout mandatory housing measures.

"The move will cut unnecessary red tape and costs for British producers while also strengthening supply chain and maintaining consumer confidence." Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, said: "We understand the pressures facing the egg producing sector and the crippling impact that avian influenza outbreaks can have on their businesses.

"Removing the need to change labels on eggs and packaging will help them keep costs down and remain competitive. This Government will restore stability and confidence in the sector introducing a new deal for farmers to boost rural economic growth and strengthen food security alongside nature’s recovery."

The UK has self-declared freedom from bird flu from March 2024.