Investigation in Peru reveals feeble conditions at egg farms

Sinergia Animal has released unprecedented footage from three egg farms in Peru. The organization warns of public health risks.

Lima, April 30, 2025. A new investigation by the international NGO Sinergia Animal has revealed alarming conditions at three egg production farms in Peru. Thousands of hens are confined in tiny cages, with visible injuries, feather loss, and clear signs of distress. The sheds where they live are infested with flies due to the accumulation of feces on the floor, creating conditions that could promote the proliferation of harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella.

“It’s a failing that the industry does not guarantee minimal welfare standards for animals. These images show extreme suffering of hens, highlighting the lack of commitment to responsible production and Peruvians’ public health,” said Shammy Coello, Latin America Managing Director at Sinergia Animal. 

The documented farms in this investigation represent the standard model for egg production in Peru. “These practices are the norm in the national poultry sector, which makes it particularly concerning, since they cause animal suffering and pose a risk to public health,” Coello emphasized.  

According to 2020 data, 98% of laying hens in Peru live under these conditions, showing the urgent need to reform the production model.

A questionable production system

Despite being banned in European Union countries and in eight US states due to animal welfare concerns, battery cages are still used by most producers in Peru. According to the investigation, hens in the documented farms suffer from severe feather loss and have exposed skin, leaving them vulnerable to injuries and infections. Combined with their inability to move freely or stretch their wings, these conditions cause the animals to live in a state of severe frustration.

Furthermore, the largest study on Salmonella contamination in eggs, conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), found that cage-free systems tend to have a lower prevalence of Salmonella compared to caged systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 155,000 people die each year from Salmonella infection.

In addition, a report from Harvard University found a link between intensive farming systems and zoonotic diseases. Animals raised in intensive confinement systems, such as battery cages, represent a significant risk for the spread of new zoonotic diseases, including major epidemics and pandemics, such as COVID-19. This is also due to the fact that extreme crowding and stress weaken animals’ immune systems.

According to Science magazine, in order to prevent the emergence of infectious outbreaks, factory farming uses over 70% of the antibiotics sold worldwide. This massive use has contributed to the rise of new antibiotic-resistant bacteria. WHO warns that these superbugs, caused by irresponsible antibiotic use, could result in more deaths than cancer in the near future.

In cage-free systems with animal welfare certification, such as the ones that have the Certified Humane label, producers are not allowed to use antibiotics on healthy animals or on a regular basis. This significantly helps reduce the risk of creating super-resistant bacteria.

Peruvians Demand Transparency

Egg consumption in Peru averages 242 units per person each year, and a growing number of citizens are demanding more information about the origins of their food. A recent study shows that 65% of Peruvian consumers think it is important to know where their food comes from, and 76% are concerned about the way animals are treated in the food industry, believing that the government should intervene to promote systems that ensure better conditions for animals.

Responding to this demand, in November 2023, legislator Sigrid Bazán proposed an egg labeling bill in the Peruvian Congress. The proposed law aims to guarantee transparency for consumers and promote better production standards.

“Consumers have the right to know how the food they buy is produced. In many countries, including those in the European Union and Australia, egg labeling is a reality. Even Uruguay has made it law. Peru should not fall behind,” Coello highlights.

With this and future investigations, Sinergia Animal aims to transform the food industry in Latin America, promoting more ethical practices and raising consumer awareness on the implications of animal exploitation.

About Sinergia Animal

Sinergia Animal is an international organization working in countries across the Global South to reduce the suffering of farmed animals and promote more compassionate diets. It has been recognized as one of the most effective charities in the world by Animal Charity Evaluators (ACE).