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What’s the deal with cage-free egg laws in Michigan?

By Kyle Kaminski

January 2, 2025

Legislation passed in 2019 requires most of the eggs sold in Michigan grocery stores to come from cage-free housing systems—and the law just took effect on New Year’s Eve. 

MICHIGAN—Grocery stores across the state are shifting their egg supplies to accommodate newly enacted legislation that requires most eggs to come from cage-free housing systems.

Here’s what Michiganders need to know about the recent shift in state law:

What changed?

Under a state law that took effect on Dec. 31, 2024, all eggs that are a product of a farm with 3,000 or more egg-laying hens—which accounts for just about all major grocery store suppliers across Michigan—must be sourced from hens who are kept in cage-free housing systems.

All business owners who sell eggs must also ensure their eggs meet those state requirements. 

And as a result, grocery stores across the state have pulled some eggs from the shelves—and are working with their suppliers to ensure that their aisles are in compliance with the new law.

It’s worth noting: The newly enacted law does not apply to eggs sourced from smaller suppliers who have less than 3,000 hens. It also does not apply to cooked or liquid eggs.  

What’s the point?

Research shows that cage systems represent some of the worst cruelty in modern egg production, with hens crowded together, with little space to exercise properly, rest undisturbed, or perform their normal behaviors—including the ability to fully stretch out their wings.

The intent of the law is to ensure most of the shell eggs sold in Michigan come from farms that operate more humane housing systems for their hens that do not involve tiny, cramped cages.

How did we get here? 

The changes are a result of bipartisan legislation that was initially passed in 2009 and signed into law by former Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, as well as Republican-led legislation that was passed in 2019 and signed into law by current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Most recently, Senate Bill 174 of 2019, which was introduced by state Sen. Kevin Daley (R-Lum) in March 2019, set the current cage-free regulations to take effect beginning on Dec. 31, 2024.

What is the role of business owners under this law? 

That law specifically prohibits all Michigan business owners from engaging in the sale of any shell egg in Michigan that they know (or should know) is the product of an egg-laying hen confined in a manner inconsistent with the cage-free requirements, according to state officials

Business owners selling eggs who fall under the law must obtain written confirmation from their suppliers that the eggs they received were produced in compliance with the cage-free egg law. And they must be able to show that documentation to a state inspector upon request. 

Under the law, egg producers themselves are also considered business owners who sell eggs—so state officials said it also applies to producers and distributors, as well as the retailers.

That includes providing farm employees enough space to provide care to egg-laying chickens, turkey, ducks, geese, and guinea foul while standing within their usable floor space, as well as requiring “enrichments” that allow the flocks to exhibit their natural behaviors without a tether. 

How will the law be enforced?

Cage-free egg compliance will reportedly be rolled into the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s existing routine of inspections of grocery stores and food establishments.

Those found in violation of the law will receive a warning and an opportunity to correct the issue as the state focuses on “education before regulation” in early 2025. Subsequent violations could still result in fines and regulatory actions—including the revocation of state business licenses.

Why are there so many empty shelves on the egg aisle?

Some grocery stores abruptly pulled their remaining supplies of eggs that came from caged facilities at the end of 2024—causing some aisles to look a little more empty than usual. At Meijer, for instance, this included the removal of Penny Smart and caged Eggland’s Best. 

Will this cause prices to increase this year?

Maybe. 

Prices may fluctuate as retailers change their usual egg suppliers this month. But advocates say the legislation shouldn’t impact egg prices overall—namely because it was signed in 2019 and included a five-year phase-in period for both farmers and distributors to prepare for the shift.

Does this have anything to do with highly pathogenic avian influenza?

No. That’s entirely unrelated. Public Act 132 became law in 2019. The first detections of highly pathogenic avian influence in the nation (as well as in Michigan) occurred in 2022. 

READ MORE: Nessel calls for Michigan grocery store to be straight up with their eggs

For the latest Michigan news, follow The ‘Gander on Twitter.

Follow Political Correspondent Kyle Kaminski here.

Author

  • Kyle Kaminski

    Kyle Kaminski is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience covering news across Michigan. Prior to joining The ‘Gander, Kyle worked as the managing editor at City Pulse in Lansing and as a reporter for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

CATEGORIES: STATE LEGISLATURE

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