Activists chain to Ahold Delhaize HQ for caged hens
Update
Ahold Delhaize has committed to a ban on cages – see more here
- Activists chained themselves to Ahold Delhaize’s HQ in Zaandam on 26th November, demanding the company honour its long-delayed cage-free pledge for hens.
- The protest lasted over four hours, and activists continued unchained for another hour despite police threats of arrest; no arrests were made.
- Animal Equality calls out corporate inaction, highlighting that every day of delay prolongs the suffering of hens trapped in cramped wire cages.
- Global pressure will continue to escalate peacefully until Ahold Delhaize releases a credible, time-bound cage-free roadmap and fulfils its promise.
Early in the morning on 26th November, activists from Animal Equality chained themselves to the main entrance of Ahold Delhaize’s global headquarters in Zaandam. The demonstration, which lasted more than four hours, called on the supermarket giant to finally honour its long-standing public pledge to eliminate cages for hens.
Police arrived on site shortly after the action began, issuing serious warnings that all individuals present could be arrested, whether or not they remained chained. Despite these threats, the activists continued their protest unchained for another hour. No arrests were ultimately made.
Activists chained themselves to Ahold Delhaize’s headquarters because CEO Frans Muller has turned the company’s cage-free commitment into a lie. Every day he delays, hens remain trapped in cramped wire cages, suffering that continues because he refuses to act. We are here to make it unmistakably clear: Animal Equality will not leave animals behind, and we will not stop until Ahold Delhaize ends this extreme cruelty.
—Sharon Núñez, President of Animal Equality
A call for Ahold Delhaize to keep its word
Escalating pressure over a long-delayed promise
The protest is the latest in Animal Equality’s global campaign urging CEO Frans Muller and company leadership to release a credible, time-bound plan to transition out of cages. Though Ahold Delhaize publicly committed to a cage-free US supply chain years ago, the company has repeatedly delayed implementation, failing to provide a transparent roadmap.
Animal Equality is currently campaigning in the US at various banner stores associated with Ahold Delhaize, and in the company’s home country to reach decision-makers directly.
What’s at stake: The reality of caged hen systems
How cages confine and harm hens
Conventional battery cages confine multiple hens in spaces so small that they cannot fully stretch their wings. The wire flooring leads to chronic pain and foot injuries, while the lack of enrichment prevents hens from expressing natural behaviours like nesting, perching, dustbathing, and foraging.
While cage-free is far from cruelty-free, in these systems animals’ stress levels rise, aggression increases, and death rates frequently outpace those in cage-free environments.
Why corporate commitments matter
Over the past decade, hundreds of global companies – including Ahold Delhaize’s competitors – have adopted policies to end the use of cages in their supply chains. Many have already fully implemented their commitments.
Without a clear, time-bound roadmap, Ahold Delhaize lacks accountability, transparency, and meaningful impact, leaving the company lagging behind competitors. As a result, hens remain trapped in cruel systems that leading retailers have already committed to move away from.
“We will be back”
Animal Equality states that unless Ahold Delhaize releases a concrete transition plan, global demonstrations will intensify. Today’s action is only the beginning.
Animal Equality emphasised that Ahold Delhaize has had years to act on its commitment. Activists vowed to continue returning to the company’s headquarters and other strategic locations until the promise is fulfilled.
Today was a show of determination. We will return with the same resolve until Ahold Delhaize keeps its word.
—Sharon Núñez, President of Animal Equality
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