Compassion Over Killing > Compassionate Action #22: COK Takes Egg Industry to Court

for Consumer Fraud and Exposes Cruel Conditions Inside New Jersey Egg Factory Farm

"Animal Care Certified"—A case of animal cruelty & consumer fraud

In 2003, COK launched a powerful and strategic campaign to expose the misleading nature of the United Egg Producer's (UEP's) "Animal Care Certified" logo. Starting in 2002, producers voluntarily agreeing to adhere to the industry trade group's "Animal Care Certified" guidelines were permitted to stamp this logo on their cartons. The UEP's guidelines also permit these producers to confine hens inside barren wire battery cages so restrictive, the birds can barely move, let alone nest, dust bathe, or perch.

COK filed multiple complaints with federal agencies, including the Better Business Bureau, alleging false advertising. We conducted consumer polls, went inside certified farms to document the misery endured by these hens, and our work lead to dozens of media exposés on this issue.

In 2003, the Better Business Bureau deemed the logo "misleading"—but that didn't stop the industry from using it. Then in 2005, the Federal Trade Commission announced that per an agreement with the UEP, the "Animal Care Certified" logo would be removed from stores shelves by April 1, 2006. But, this hasn't stopped the industry altogether from continuing to use the logo either. (See Timeline below for more details about this case.)

As recently as February 2008—almost two years after the agreed-upon deadline—COK has documented egg cartons bearing the "Animal Care Certified" logo being sold on stores shelves in New Jersey. Further evidence reveals more widespread violations: the "Animal Care Certified" logo has also been marketed on egg cartons in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware. The packaging on these cartons identifies the eggs' origin: ISE America in New Jersey, an egg factory farm and packing plant with more than one million hens confined inside barren wire battery cages. See below to learn about COK's investigation of ISE America and also watch our undercover video.

COK Takes Action to Stop Continued Use of Misleading Logo

On February 20, 2008, Compassion Over Killing and an egg consumer filed a lawsuit in the Middlesex County Superior Court of New Jersey against the UEP and ISE America alleging violations of a consumer protection law based on the continued use of the misleading "Animal Care Certified" logo on egg cartons. COK has filed additional complaints with both the New Jersey and New York Attorneys General as well as the Federal Trade Commission alerting them to the continued use of the claim and urging them to take action on behalf of consumers in their states.

As of this printing, the case is still pending. COK is represented by Egert & Trakinksi, a law firm specializing in animal protection issues.

COK Exposes Cruel Conditions inside egg factory farm: ISE America

In 2007, a COK investigator worked inside ISe America's facility in new Jersey painstakingly documenting the day-to-day miseries forced upon these caged birds. As the undercover video reveals, the horrific conditions in this egg factory farm are a far cry from what most consumers would consider "Animal Care Certified." The footage shows birds overcrowded in cages, severely decomposed birds left in cages with live birds, ill birds denied individual veterinary care, and hens stuck in between the wires of their cages, unable to access food or water.

This hen is stuck in between the wires of her cage, unable to access food or water.

More than one million hens are intensively confined in battery cages at this facility.

Workers kill hens by twisting their necks in view of other birds.