‘Free range’ no longer means what you think

The meaning of "free range" eggs in the UK has significantly changed due to revised bird flu regulations. Previously, hens could only be labeled as "free range" for up to 16 weeks during a housing order meant to protect them from avian influenza. However, since 2025, this time limit has been removed, allowing eggs from hens that are confined indoors for extended periods to still be marketed as "free range." As a result, consumers purchasing these eggs may not realize that the hens potentially never access outdoor spaces, undermining their trust in the product's label.

The current mandatory housing order, effective from November 13, 2026, indicates that all poultry must be kept indoors, raising concerns about the welfare of hens during extended housing periods that can last for months. Given that many consumers choose free-range eggs for ethical reasons, the misleading nature of this labeling is alarming. To avoid supporting this confusion and ensure hen welfare, the article advocates for opting for plant-based alternatives to eggs, which do not involve confinement and circumvent the complexities of misleading labeling.