Food maker General Mills has announced that it is moving toward 100 per cent cage-free eggs for its US operations.

The move is part of the company's updated animal welfare policy.

Eggs are used by many of General Mills brands which include Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Hamburger Helper.

"General Mills' announcement is a major victory to improve the lives of farm animals," said Josh Balk, senior director of food policy for the Humane Society of the United States.

General Mills did not set a deadline but said it will work with its suppliers to determine a “reasonable timeline” given the disruption that bird flu has caused to the US egg supply.