Information on Free Range Eggs In products approved by the Society, any eggs used in the recipe must be free range. The Vegetarian Society will not approve battery eggs or any other system of egg production. We approve free-range eggs which are produced in accordance with the EU criteria for free-range egg farming. We believe that hens are more likely to behave naturally and remain healthy under free-range conditions. The Vegetarian Society has seven simple guidelines on free-range eggs. Taken together they constitute a clear policy and give consumers complete reassurance on important animal welfare standards. 1. The farm must be registered with the UK Egg Marketing lnspectorate, or in the case of international free-range eggs, must be registered with the originating country's national enforcement authority. 2. Maximum flock size should not exceed 1,000 birds per hectare (in line with EU criteria). 3. Poultry houses should provide: an area of dry litter perches for birds to roost, sufficient windows for the house to be used without electric light. 4. No de-beaking of birds. 5. No use of artificial yolk colourants, slaughterhouse waste or animal by-products. 6. No eggs to be bought in from other farms. 7. Adequate records to be kept and made available to prove traceability. These should show hen numbers, egg production and sales split into individual outlets as well as the size of egg. The Society works with manufacturers and food producers to source free range eggs for their products. Look out for The Vegetarian Society's approved brands of free range eggs in the shops/supermarkets