Sainsbury's, one of Britain's largest supermarket chains with around 600 supermarkets and 885 convenience outlets, is phasing out brown eggs from its own-brand ranges. The move is part of the retailer's broader effort to cut emissions and achieve net zero within its own operations by 2035 and across its supply chain by 2050.
Research indicates white eggs have a 12.7% lower carbon footprint than brown eggs, as the hens that lay them are generally smaller and require less feed. Sainsbury's says this indirectly reduces demand for land and water used to grow feed crops, as well as the amount of manure produced.
The retailer also claims the switch could improve animal welfare, as hens bred for white eggs are less prone to feather pecking. Despite the colour difference, there is minimal nutritional variation between brown and white eggs.
However, boosting white egg supplies may prove challenging. White eggs make up only about 15% of the UK's laying flock, compared to roughly three-quarters of eggs consumed in the United States. British consumers have historically favoured brown eggs, partly due to a mistaken belief that they are healthier or more natural.
A Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'White eggs have the same delicious taste and nutritional benefits as their brown counterparts, but result in lower emissions and better welfare outcomes for the hens that lay them.' The supermarket is working with suppliers to transition all own-brand eggs to white shells over time.
The egg overhaul follows other sustainability initiatives by Sainsbury's, including switching minced beef from plastic trays to vacuum-packed packaging in 2023 and sending cattle for beef production earlier to cut emissions. These moves highlight the pressure on supermarkets to reduce their environmental footprint while balancing customer preferences and supply-chain needs.
