2 minute read
Egg Decoding
by The "Green' Franciscan Sister, Janet Corcoran, OSF
When purchasing eggs it may be difficult decoding the various labels. Below are some facts regarding common label claims found in the food stores:
Certified Organic: The USDA National Organic Program requires production ways that must adhere to their standards which include birds not being caged and those which are housed, for example, in barns or warehouses. The birds are required to have access to the outdoors but the duration, quality, or amount of time is not clearly defined. The birds are fed an organic, vegetarian diet which is free of antibiotics and pesticides. There is independent auditing by a third party. Cage Free: The terms “Cage Free,” “Free Range,” and “Free Roaming” are terms that the Food Safety Inspection Service of the USDA uses to state that birds are typically brought up in large flocks in a spacious area such as warehouses rather than in stacked cages. There may be access to the outdoors but there are no written standards by the USDA to regulate the quality or duration of the access to the outdoors. There is no third-party auditing. Certified Humane: The term Certified Humane is a program operated by the Humane Farm Animal Care. This program requires that birds are not caged and usually live in barns or warehouses. They are able to perform natural behaviors like dust bathing, perching, and nesting. The hens are not given antibiotics and are fed a strict vegetarian diet. However, the birds may be kept indoors at all times. There is third-party auditing to verify compliance.
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