Michigan’s Major New Egg Sale Law Goes Into Effect Soon

If you've walked up to the egg section in Meijer confused to see a slip of paper posted on the window stating "Attention Meijer Customers" and then something about Michigan law stating that retailers can only sell cage-free eggs starting January 1st, 2025, you've come to the right place.

What are cage-free eggs and how will this change affect egg sales in the future? Let's break it down.

⬇️25+ BIRDS THAT STAY IN MICHIGAN DURING THE WINTER⬇️

What Are Cage Free Eggs?

Before we get into the new law, it's important first to clarify what "cage-free" eggs are and why the new law is targeting these types of eggs. According to The Humane League, there's nothing different about the eggs themselves, but rather how the hens laying the eggs are treated during their lives.

Cage-free hens are raised and live in open spaces that allow them to live fairly normal lives rather than live in cramped wire cages with very little space to function outside egg laying. Having birds in cramped cages like this isn't illegal but is becoming more frowned upon.

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Michigan's Cage-Free Law

Public Act 132 of 2019 was passed back in 2019 and requires that going forward, all eggs sold in Michigan "must be from cage-free housing systems" starting December 31st, 2024.  Retailers must purchase their eggs from cage-free farms only, and the law includes parameters for cage-free housing. Michigan joins a growing group of states around the country like California and Washington introducing cage-free laws.

What This Means For You

What this means for consumers is that egg prices are most likely going to go up. Providing better care for chickens comes at a cost, and egg lovers are the ones footing the bills. Unfortunately, these changes come at a time when prices are already on the rise due to a bird flu outbreak and holiday baking.

Brands like Penny Smart and Caged Egglands Best will no longer be sold around the state.