[1][note 1][note 2] As a substantial quota holder, Burnbrae Farms has a vested interest in outcomes of international trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
In 1943, Joe became involved in a poultry school project as a student at Brockville Collegiate Institute.
In 1978, Burnbrae purchased Maple Lynn Foods Limited located outside London, Ontario in Strathroy.
In Mississauga, the eggs are purchased for grading and distribution from producers in the western Ontario farm belt.
In late 1996 and early 1997 Burnbrae Farms expanded its operation into Manitoba with the purchase of a grading station and a further processing plant.
Burnbrae Farms has been criticized for poor animal welfare performance and lack of transparency about its egg-sourcing practices.
In 2024, Mercy For Animals accused Burnbrae of ambiguities in its reporting that obscure the number of hens kept in cages in its operations.
[7] The group objected to Burnbrae’s continued investment in enriched cages despite moves by producers worldwide, such as Noble Foods[8] and Mantiqueira,[9] to transition to cage-free systems.
Mercy For Animals also called out the producer’s labeling system, which includes misleading illustrations, such as idyllic open-air pastures and happy cartoons on cartons of eggs sourced from chickens in cages.