The Discontinued Costco Liquid Eggs That Deserved To Disappear

The reasons why Costco sometimes stops selling popular foods are various: sometimes cost is an issue, and other times suppliers run into production problems. When Costco stopped selling liquid eggs from caged hens, however, it wasn't considered a loss in many quarters — many animal advocates saw it as a victory. Costco has since confirmed that its liquid ages are now all cage-free. Basically, this beloved warehouse retailer 86'd liquid eggs from caged hens to bring in a new version of the product that came from cage-free poultry, all in the name of its ongoing commitment to animal welfare.

Liquid eggs are a versatile product to have in the fridge, offering pourable eggs perfect for making smooth scrambled eggs or use in baking, among many other applications. As is the case with whole eggs, however, many conscientious consumers have taken an interest in the well-being of the hens that produce these products. While caged hens may live their entire lives in cramped battery cages so congested that the birds can't turn around or stretch their wings, cage-free hens are housed in barns without cages. While there are still criticisms that the "cage-free" distinction could be a misleading reassurance for animal lovers, it's widely agreed that cage-free is a better solution. As of September 2022, Costco's shelled eggs were 97% sourced from cage-free birds. It took some pressure from Hollywood for the retailer to get serious about the egg issue, however.

In 2015, celebrities Brad Pitt and Bill Maher attacked Costco for continuing to sell egg products from caged hens. Pitt penned an open letter to Costco's then-CEO, Craig Jelinek, and Maher wrote an impassioned editorial in The New York Times. "Imagine cramming five cats or dogs into tiny cages [...] for their entire lives," Maher reasoned. "When the egg industry does it to hens, it's considered business as usual." Costco has proven itself to be responsive to consumer complaints. In 2025, CEO Ron Vachris, Jelinek's successor, responded to an email about allegedly "woody" chicken with a promise to investigate the matter (though it may be a supply chain issue beyond the company's control). 

It seems that famous consumers like Pitt and Maher have even more power to get the ball rolling on positive change. Costco had already begun switching over to cage-free production at that point, but the ensuing years only saw its percentage of cage-free offerings grow. It joined companies like McDonald's, Panera, Subway, and Taco Bell in committing to going fully cage-free in the future, with Costco being one of the first mainstream grocers to do so.

While the loss of Costco cooking staples usually leaves us with the FOMO blues, it's hard to feel any sort of regret about the loss of liquid eggs from caged hens. When you buy Kirkland Signature Liquid Eggs nowadays, you can feel like you are supporting a movement that goes at least part of the way to improving the living conditions of livestock hens.