BANGKOK, Thailand—Salad Factory, a leading brand in Thailand’s health-conscious dining industry says that by 2028, all its restaurants nationwide will source and serve only eggs from cage-free hens in their dishes. This pledge marks a significant step forward for animal welfare in Thailand. Humane World for Animals (formerly called Humane Society International), a global non-profit dedicated to ending animal cruelty, has supported the company on this journey and applauds its progress.
Cage systems are widely criticized for confining hens to spaces no larger than the size of an A4-sized sheet of paper to live their entire lives, preventing natural behaviors like walking, perching, or fully spreading their wings. In Thailand, most laying hens are confined in battery cages. Cage-free systems, by contrast, allow hens to move more freely and engage in natural behaviors, such as nesting, perching, walking, and wing-flapping, offering hens a higher standard of welfare,
Mr. Piya Dankum, CEO of Salad Factory, explains the motivation behind the move: “Every dish we serve tells a story, and that story begins with our ingredients. Eggs from cage-free hens reflect our belief in doing what’s right for people, animals, and the planet. Salad Factory has always prioritized ESG [environmental, social and governance standards] and corporate social responsibility. Working with Humane World for Animals helped us to see how animal welfare aligns with sustainable business practices. Transitioning eggs from cage-free hens is both achievable and beneficial for long-term growth. We hope our journey inspires other companies to join us in advancing animal welfare in their supply chains.”
Salad Factory operates more than 50 branches in Bangkok and the surrounding areas and manufactures various brands of salad dressings. With Thailand’s health-conscious food sector on the rise, the company plans further expansion. Lalada Tangjerdjaras, program manager, farm animal welfare at Humane World for Animals Thailand says: “Salad Factory’s commitment sets a strong example for Thailand’s food industry. It shows that businesses can take practical steps to improve animal welfare within their supply chains. People in Thailand care about animal welfare and Humane World for Animals is ready to support companies in making this transition.”
Humane World for Animals works globally to improve the welfare of animals in agriculture through science-based collaborative approaches. The organization works with companies, farmers, processors, scientists and certifiers to support transitions to cage-free systems and offers a wide range of support including farm visits, consumer education and corporate roundtables and workshops to enhance their supply chains.
