Taco Bell has finally decided to join the bandwagon of going organic.  On Monday, Taco Bell became the latest fast-food company to use cage-free eggs in all its food items.  This decision comes after almost of its competitors announced similar efforts earlier this year.  Recognizing the importance of animal welfare is vital to keep up with the seismic changes in the industry.

As reported in The Washington Post, Yum Brands, the parent company that owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC, plans to serve only cage-free eggs in more than its 6,000 U.S. corporate and franchise-owned locations by the end of next year.  It has joined several fast food restaurants like Panera, McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts with its cage-free pledge. 

However, none of its competitors has committed to do the same in less than five years.  McDonald's has prepared the switch to cage-free as a ten year goal.   Taco Bell will become the first company to actually accomplish it. 

Leah Garces, the U.S. director of Compassion in World Farming, an animal rights group, is happy with Taco Bell's decision.  "This is enormous news.  Especially given the timeline, which will be the fastest yet."

Brian Niccol, chief executive of Taco Bell Corp said in a statement, "Implementing this change at record pace underscores that we are always listening and responding to our customers, while doing what is right for our business."

The fast food industry which uses prize as their major selling point can no longer afford to do so at the expense of animal welfare.  It has been proven in fast casual dining that charging a little for something that customers feel good about buying is still good for the business.  This in effect has influenced almost all of the major fast-food companies to follow suit.  This encouraged the fast-food players to fix how they get their food.

As reported in Fox News, Taco Bell has announced that it is on track with previously announced goal of eliminating artificial flavours and colors, added trans fat, high fructose  syrup and palm oils by early 2016.  More so, the company also announced its plans to offer aspartame-free diet Pepsi products across all of its U.S. locations by the beginning of next year.

Do you like the Taco Bell news?  Don't forget to share on Facebook!