Many of the country's major retailers, such as Tesco, Morrisons and Asda, have pledged to transfer to cage-free eggs by 2025.

The changes were prompted by consumers, who took action after 14-year-old Lucy Gavaghan set up a petition on the subject.

International food service firm, Sodexo, also said they would source only cage free eggs (both shell and liquid) globally by 2025, which led CiWF to suggest that others should follow. The charity is calling on the food service sector to make clear policy commitments across their entire egg supply.

It said the majority of non-consumer facing food service companies have yet to make the shift, but praised companies such as McDonald’s, Pret and Subway, which already source free range eggs for all their products.

Dr Tracey Jones, Director of Food Business, Compassion in World Farming said: "It is without doubt a time of major change for laying hen welfare in the UK and across the world; the hope that a cage-free day will dawn in modern egg production looks increasingly feasible but no one can afford to be complacent.

"There is still much to be done to encourage businesses, especially in the food service sector, to go cage-free on whole eggs and for companies to use cage-free egg ingredient too.

"As more and more companies banish caged eggs from their shelves or from their kitchens, and consumer pressure grows, those yet to make a pledge should ask themselves the question – can they really afford not to adopt a cage-free future?"