CANTON, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts announced plans to use eggs from cage-free hens in its breakfast sandwiches and pork sourced from suppliers that do not use gestation stalls.

The company initially will transition 5 percent of its eggs to cage-free by the end of 2013. Dunkin’ Donuts will also require its pork suppliers to outline their plans to phase out gestation stalls. The company said the move reflects its commitment to animal welfare, which is an important part of the company’s overall corporate responsibility strategy.

"Dunkin' Donuts is committed to environmental and social responsibility, and we're pleased to announce this commitment to continuously raise the bar for the treatment of animals within our supply chain," said Scott Murphy, vice president, Dunkin' Donuts Global Supply Chain. "We're working with our partners at The Humane Society of the United States and our franchisee-owned distribution and purchasing cooperative to source ingredients that meet high animal welfare standards."