Catalyst Co., Ltd. Organizes the 2nd Award Ceremony for Entrepreneurs Driving Sustainable Food and Cage-Free Egg Initiatives

Catalyst Co., Ltd., a social enterprise, held an award ceremony to honor entrepreneurs contributing to sustainable food and animal welfare through the use of cage-free eggs at Chiang Mai Grandview Hotel, Chiang Mai Province. The event was graced by Mr. Apirak Kosayothin, Chairman of the Executive Board of V Foods (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and former Governor of Bangkok, as the ceremony’s president. Representatives from the government and private sectors, including food businesses, hotels, and retailers, attended in large numbers.

The event included the presentation of awards and certificates of appreciation to businesses and organizations that exemplify the policy of using cage-free eggs and adhering to ethical food production that is safe for consumers and humane towards animals. Award recipients included businesses and organizations committed to using cage-free eggs and farms, which led to the transition to cage-free chicken farming.

Dr.Wadchara Pumpradit, Director of Catalyst Co., Ltd., stated that the company operates under the concept of social enterprise, with a primary mission to develop animal welfare in the food system and promote sustainable food production practices that prioritize animal friendliness, environmental sustainability, and consumer health in Thailand and the ASEAN region.

Dr.Wadchara noted that consumers in Thailand and globally are becoming more aware of the issues surrounding battery cage systems, which confine hens to small spaces where they cannot move or express natural behaviors throughout their lives. This system violates the Five Freedoms principles, which are universal ethics for treating animals under human control. Furthermore, studies from various countries in the European Union have shown that this system not only breaches ethical standards but also affects consumer health, such as the excessive use of antibiotics to prevent diseases arising from the stress and cramped conditions of the hens. Such antibiotic use leads to global antibiotic resistance issues. Additionally, keeping hens in cramped conditions increases the risk of pandemics, such as avian influenza, which poses a potential threat with severe impacts on people’s lives and the global economy, as seen in past situations.

Dr.Wadchara emphasized that in light of the growing consumer awareness both in Thailand and abroad, Catalyst Co., Ltd. has built collaborations with government, private sectors, and civil society to prepare Thailand’s agricultural sector and the ASEAN region to upgrade egg farm standards to cage-free systems by providing training and knowledge transfer on egg production technologies that align with evolving market demands. Moreover, the company collaborates with food businesses, hotels, retailers, and organizations to commit to transitioning to cage-free eggs to support the shift towards sustainable food systems in Thailand. These businesses and organizations serve as exemplary models of social responsibility and inspire positive change in Thai society.

Currently, the global community is calling for a lifestyle that respects nature and other living beings, adhering to the concept of ‘Lead the Way to a Kinder World,’ which Catalyst Co. is committed to promoting to create a sustainable and life-friendly world. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating entrepreneurs and organizations that lead ethical business practices towards people, animals, and the environment.

For those interested in participating in the cage-free egg initiative, please contact Ms. Nichamon Sangduen at 098-156-3269.