We're into week two of the investigation into possible anti-competitive behaviour between retailers, and they're still flatly denying any involvement. So while we wait for more news on that front, Woolworths has been receiving a hen-pecking for another reason altogether. A few months ago, documentary filmmaker Wendy Hardie discovered that although all the boxed eggs on Woolies shelves are 'free range', the eggs used in its other products, such as ready-made foods and baked goods, are from battery hens. Consumer reaction to this has been a mixed brood indeed, some ranging from disgust and outrage, to those defending the brand, while others say that food is food. But is a battery egg really just an egg? And doesn't the use of these eggs in ready-made products negate the whole point of buying free range eggs in the first place? What do you think?

Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor retailnews@bizcommunity.com Responses to this column welcomed in our new online editor's column archive. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.