Dutch Vote “Barn Eggs” As Most Misleading Label

According to an informal web survey conducted by Dutch animal welfare group, Wakker Dier, consumers in The Netherlands consider the term “barn eggs” to be the most misleading label on food packaging in the country.

They posted advertisements for various food products on their website and allowed consumers to vote for the items they believed were the most deceiving. From choices including fresh fish, pork, sausage, chicken noodles, and other food items. Consumers said that barn eggs were the most deceptive, followed by food products for children and fish from discount retailers.

The Dutch term for barn eggs is scharrelei, which describes a hen’s ability to move around, but not where they are kept. Historically, the term scharrelei has been used to describe barn eggs even though the word is misleading. Many Dutch consumers believe that purchasing scharrelei indicates that the egg comes from an outdoor hen, which is not true. Dutch laying hens in barn systems are kept at a density of nine birds per square meter, with no access to the outside.

Wakker Dier would like the term schuurei, used instead, which more closely translates to the English term “barn eggs.”