Sainsbury's to replace brown eggs with white to cut carbon

Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains, has announced it will phase out brown eggs from its own-brand ranges, stocking only white-shelled eggs in a significant move to reduce its environmental impact. The decision is part of the retailer's broader strategy to cut carbon emissions across its operations.

The company stated that research shows white eggs have a 12.7 percent lower carbon footprint than brown alternatives. This is primarily because the hens that lay white eggs, such as the White Leghorn breed, are generally smaller and require less feed. The supermarket explained this leads to reduced demand for land and water used to grow feed crops and results in less manure production. Beyond environmental benefits, the retailer maintains the switch could improve animal welfare, as hens bred to lay white eggs are thought to be less prone to feather pecking.

A company spokesman said white eggs offer the same taste and nutritional benefits as brown eggs. The initiative supports Sainsbury's goal of achieving net zero emissions within its own operations by 2035 and across its entire supply chain by 2050.

The shift represents a notable change for British...