New research from RSPCA Assured suggests strong consumer sentiment around egg sourcing.
According to a YouGov survey conducted this month on behalf of RSPCA Assured, 72% of British consumers say they would be unlikely to continue eating at a restaurant or café if they discovered it was serving imported eggs produced to lower welfare standards. The findings highlight growing public awareness and concern about production methods, even within the out-of-home dining sector.
While conventional battery cages were banned in the UK in 2012, it remains common for foodservice businesses to use imported eggs from systems that do not meet UK welfare standards.
A key issue identified by the research is the lack of transparency in the foodservice sector. Unlike retail, where shell eggs must be clearly labelled with production method and origin, there is no requirement for restaurants, pubs or cafés to provide this information to customers.
The survey also found that 80% of respondents believe food venues should be required to disclose the origin of animal products used in their dishes. In addition, 74% said it is important that eggs and other animal products consumed outside the home come from British farms operating to higher welfare standards.
However, consumer awareness remains limited. Around 72% of respondents said they were unaware that eggs used in foodservice could be sourced from systems that do not meet UK standards. While more than four in five consumers check egg labels when shopping, only 4% said they always ask food outlets about sourcing.
Kelly Grellier, Chief Commercial Officer at RSPCA Assured, said the findings point to a disconnect between consumer expectations and current foodservice practices.
“Sourcing lower-welfare imports instead of backing UK higher welfare producers undercuts the very standards we, as a nation of animal lovers, claim to care about,” she said.
“The UK has a strong history of informed choice, built through years of clear labelling in retail, but this is completely lost when people eat out.
“If we’re serious about animal welfare and backing our UK farmers, our whole food system needs to reflect that, not just our supermarket shelves.”
Government data indicates the UK continues to rely on imported eggs and egg products. In 2025, imports reached as high as 264 million shell eggs in a single month, alongside more than 1.3 billion eggs equivalent in processed egg products annually, volumes widely used in manufacturing and catering.
The RSPCA and the National Farmers’ Union are jointly calling on the government to ensure core animal welfare standards are embedded in policy and trade negotiations. They warn that future agreements must not lead to the offshoring of UK egg production.