COK and Giant Settle False Advertising Claims Out of Court

Giant agrees to remove "Animal Care Certified" logo from store brand egg cartons.

In September 2005, COK and Giant issued this joint statement:

Compassion Over Killing, Inc. ("COK") and Giant of Maryland, LCC ("Giant") have agreed to settle all claims against Giant in a lawsuit that COK brought in the Superior Court of D.C. against Giant and three other parties regarding the use of the United Egg Producers' "Animal Care Certified" logo on cartons of shell eggs. Giant has agreed to remove this logo from cartons of Giant store brand eggs while it further reviews COK's claims. Meanwhile, COK's lawsuit will go forward against the remaining three defendants, which will allow the Court to resolve this important issue.

Read the Washington Post's coverage from September 19, 2005 (free registration required).

In February 2005, COK, along with four egg consumers, filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Superior Court against Giant Foods, Brookville Supermarket and Lehman's Egg Service alleging that the United Egg Producers' "Animal Care Certified" (ACC) logo stamped on egg cartons deceives shoppers by conveying a false message of humane animal care. Despite the Better Business Bureau's rulings in 2003 and 2004 that the ACC logo is misleading to consumers, and its subsequent referral of the matter for legal action to the Federal Trade Commission, the egg industry continues to use the logo on egg cartons nationwide.

In the lawsuit, consumers who purchased ACC-labeled eggs claim they were under the impression they were supporting humane animal treatment, and then later learned of the abusive conditions permitted under the ACC program: ACC producers may confine birds in wire "battery" cages so small, they can't even spread their wings, and to slice off parts of birds' beaks without pain relief.

• Choose Egg-Free Foods: The best way each of us can help laying hens is to leave their eggs out of our shopping carts. Get free eggless recipes or order your free Vegetarian Starter Guide today!
  
  
• Write a Letter: Write a short letter to the Federal Trade Commission in support of COK's petition to prohibit egg producers from using the "Animal Care Certified" logo on their cartons. For more information, view our sample letter.

  Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairperson
  Federal Trade Commission
  600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
  Washington, DC 20580
  

• Talk with Your Local Grocery Store Manager: Explain why they shouldn't carry eggs in cartons with the "Animal Care Certified" logo. Mention that the Better Business Bureau has twice ruled the logo is misleading consumers, and no reputable grocery store would want to purposefully deceive its customers.
  
  
• Contact Trader Joe's: Please call or send a polite letter to Trader Joe's asking them to stop hiding behind the Animal Care Certified logo to defend its support for battery cage cruelty. Learn more about this campaign.

  Dan Bane, Chairman and CEO
  Trader Joe's Company, Inc.
  800 S. Shamrock Ave.
  Monrovia, CA 91016
  626-599-3817 (West Coast)
  781-455-7319 (East Coast)
  

• Be a Voice for Egg-Laying Hens: Please let others know the truth behind the egg industry's deceptive Animal Care Certified logo. You can share videos and photos taken inside Animal Care Certified egg farms by visiting EggScam.com.
  
  
• Learn More About This Campaign and How You Can Help.