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Hen welfare charity backs ethical chocolate cakes
About 60 per cent of eggs laid by caged hens are snuck into processed foods such as cakes. (Stock photo)
Public urged to choose cakes made with free range eggs

The British Hen Welfare Trust has listed some ethical chocolate cakes that contain only free range eggs, ahead of International Chocolate Cake Day on 27 January.

About 60 per cent of eggs laid by caged hens are snuck into processed foods including cakes, quiches and pasta, the charity warns.

Consumers are being urged to check ingredients lists to ensure they are not inadvertently eating eggs from caged hens. As a general rule, if ‘free range’ isn’t stated in the list of ingredients, the eggs will be caged or barn.

In honour of this year’s International Chocolate Cake Day, the BHWT recommends a few cakes containing free range eggs:
  • Sainsbury’s Belgian Chocolate Fudge Cake
  • Tesco Finest White Chocolate and Strawberry Cake
  • ASDA Extra Special Hand Finished Salted Caramel & Chocolate Cake
  • Morrisons The Best Chocolate Cake

The charity also draws attention to a number of cakes that are made with eggs from caged hens:
  • Galaxy Chocolate Cake Bars
  • Thornton’s Triple Layer Chocolate Birthday Cake
  • Cadbury Crunchie Cake
  • Mr Kipling Choc Chip Cake Slices

Around 16 million hens are kept in colony cages in the UK, according to BHWT, which has so far found retirement homes for over 600,000 caged birds that were destined for slaughter.

Founder of the trust, Jane Howorth MBE, said: “It’s disappointing some chocolate cake manufacturers still use eggs from caged hens. By making an ethical decision on your chocolate cake you will not only be able to enjoy it guilt-free but you will make the world of difference to the hen that helped to create it.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.