Kraft Foods has agreed to purchase one million cage-free eggs from its supply chain in 2011, reports The Humane Society of the United States.

"Kraft Foods' decision coincides with the national movement away from using cruel and inhumane cages to confine laying hens," said Josh Balk, corporate outreach director of the society's factory farming campaign, in a statement. "The company should be applauded for taking animal welfare seriously by purchasing cage-free eggs, and we hope others in the food industry follow its lead."

The Humane Society notes that several restaurant chains, including Subway, Wendy's, Denny's, Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Quiznos, Golden Corral, Sonic, and Burger King, already have made the switch to use cage-free eggs. In April, EL reported that McDonald's was opposed to a proposal that would require the fast-food chain to buy five percent cage-free eggs for its restaurants in the United States.

In addition, Wal-Mart's and Costco's private labels only use cage-free eggs, and both Unilever and Sara Lee are phasing-in cage-free eggs.

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