Morrisons unveils ‘carbon-neutral’ eggs from hens fed diet of insects
Wm Morrison Supermarkets, the fourth-largest supermarket chain in the UK, has reportedly launched a novel line of ‘carbon-neutral eggs, laid by hens that are fed a diet of insects reared on the supermarket’s own food waste.
Morrisons stated that it is the first to introduce the carbon-neutral eggs, which is the first product that the retail chain has launched under its plan to have a direct supply from zero-emission local farms by 2030.
The hens are given a soya-free diet, which includes insects that are fed on the supermarket’s fruit, vegetable, and bakery food waste. The company has listed help from British startup, Better Origin, for this venture and would be using its insect mini-farm container to raise the chicken feed.
Morrisons added that insects have been a part of the chicken’s natural ancestral diet and do not pose any negative impact on the eggs’ taste, quality, and shelf life.
By removing soya, emissions linked with its sourcing, including cutting forests and clearing land for crop growth in places like Brazil as well as pollution from transporting and shipping the feed, are avoided.
The farm where the first batch of planet-friendly eggs would come from are also fitted with solar panels, a large wind turbine, and a program that offsets any other emissions on the property by having one-fifth of its area covered with trees.
A Cambridge University report has backed the supermarket’s claim that these eggs are carbon neutral. The University looked into the production process, which includes food waste transport, insect growing unit, hen housing and care, and using locally grown grain.
Morrisons further stated that the eggs will be the first to have a British Lion Egg green stamp, signifying the product’s lower environmental impact.
The eggs would initially be rolled out across 50 Yorkshire stores, as well as the chain’s new lower environmental impact store in Essex. Keeping a national rollout in mind for 2023, Morrisons has priced a single egg at 30p ($0.40), with a pack of six costing around £1.50 ($1.71).
Sophie Throup, Head of Agriculture, Morrisons, stated that the company is thrilled to launch these eggs, which took its farmers over 18 months of hard work.
Throup added that the company is aware of how important the environmental impact, as well as affordability of the food is for its customers.
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