"Protests Over Alleged Animal Suffering in Edeka"
DC'ing Edeka: Animal Welfare Protests Roil Germany's Supermarket Giant
Greenpeace is attacking the retail heavyweight Edeka, accusing its pig suppliers of inflicting undue agony on the pigs. Recent footage unveiled by Greenpeace suggests pigs are enduring "excruciating physical and psychological distress."
This distress is particularly associated with meat products under the brands "Gutfleisch" in Northern Germany and "MeinLand" in North Rhine-Westphalia. In collaboration with vegan influencer Bianca Heinicke, Greenpeace is demanding Edeka CEO Markus Mosa to scrap the "unbearable pig system."
"Edeka Misery Zone": Protests at Supermarkets Puzzle Police
Greenpeace portrays the conditions as cruelty to animals on its website, decrying that 80% of animal products in Edeka hail from lowest animal welfare categories 1 and 2. The disclosures have prompted protest actions: In early June, approximately 20 Greenpeace protesters gathered outside an Edeka supermarket in Hanover, rallying against the dubious animal treatment. Edeka isn't just grappling with the wrath of animal welfare advocates, but an increasing number of consumers express apprehension ordering meat from the fresh counter.
Activists have plastered signs reading "Edeka Turns a Blind Eye on Suffering Animals" on supermarket windows and rebranded Edeka's advertising slogan "We Love Food" to "We Love Animal Suffering" with placards. An Edeka store in Kronach became the target of unidentified activists who spray-painted animal welfare slogans in the entrance area around June 9, 2025. A similar incident occurred at an Edeka store in Lichtenfels, according to police reports.
Edeka speaks out: "We Condemn Any Form of Animal Cruelty"
"We ardently advocate for animal welfare," Edeka headquarters declared in a social media statement. They firmly distance themselves from any unacceptable animal treatment and claim they swiftly address any misconduct by supplier companies. Edeka requested Greenpeace to divulge specific details about the cases depicted so they can "take immediate action."
Edeka insists they are proactively collaborating with agricultural partners to improve the living conditions of farm animals in Germany, having participated in the Tierwohl initiative for years and regularly enhancing regional programs and organic meat offerings.
Environmental activist Bianca Heinicke, along with Greenpeace, presses Edeka to prioritize health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise for farm animals, given the evidence of science-backed cruel treatment of pigs. In response to the disturbing revelations, Greenpeace has urged Edeka to overhaul its 'Gutfleisch' and 'MeinLand' product lines that seem to be linked to the distress expressed in the accused pig system.
