Victory! parkrun Says No to ‘Crappy’ Eggs
Following pressure from concerned consumers, a focussed campaign by the Vegan Runners group, and a PETA investigation that revealed the cruelty behind the “Happy” Egg Co, community running organisation parkrun has confirmed that it has cut ties with the controversial sponsor.
We’ve always been big fans of parkrun, but we were disappointed when we discovered that the weekly runs were sponsored by this “crappy” egg company. That’s why PETA – and over 13,000 of our supporters – sent a message to parkrun’s CEO urging him to find an animal-friendly sponsor.
Now that the Happy Egg Co’s sponsorship is over, well-intentioned participants can run guilt-free.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this important victory possible!
Why PETA Urged parkrun to Drop the Happy Egg Co
PETA and well-intentioned consumers were saddened to discover that parkrun was sponsored by animal suffering.
The Happy Egg Co, owned by Noble Foods, is one of the largest “free-range” egg producers in the UK. The company’s marketing materials present idyllic scenes in which chickens are given acres of green fields to explore and foliage and trees to play in. This leads caring consumers to believe that its products come from “happy hens”.
Crappy Eggs, Not Happy Eggs
In a PETA investigation, we filmed “free-range” hens in filthy, extremely crowded sheds. Most, if not all, of the birds had been subjected to routine mutilation – part of their beaks was cut off. Many had red, raw, and bleeding wounds, likely from pecking out each other’s feathers as a result of being stressed, frustrated, and kept in unnatural conditions.
The hens on farms that supply the Happy Egg Co are certainly not happy.
Earlier this year, PETA reported the brand to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for duping caring consumers with misleading marketing materials that depict happy hens in lush green fields.
We were disappointed, however, that the ASA chose not to uphold valid comments made by PETA and the public despite being provided with horrific images and video footage that proved the reality for hens was far from the fantasy presented by the brand.
What You Can Do
Don’t be duped. The only label that guarantees an animal-friendly product is “vegan”. The best way to help these intelligent animals is to stop eating animal-derived foods, including eggs. Reducing demand for their eggs will help prevent chickens from being forced to live – and die – in these heartbreaking conditions.
