If your local grocery store is anything like mine, you probably find that there are almost always other shoppers in the egg section. You just want to pick out a carton, put it in your basket and cart and be on your way. But, hey, what’s with all the labels like “Cage-Free,” “Certified Organic” and “Certified Humane”? To make your next shopping trip a little speedier and your next egg purchase humane, keep in mind what these labels and certifications mean.
“Cage-Free,” “Free-Range” and “Free-Roaming” all sound pretty animal-friendly, but the mental image you have in your head of hens strutting around a great big barnyard isn’t accurate. “Cage-free” doesn’t necessarily mean that the chickens can wander around outside, but just that they’re not cooped up in cages. They often live in large flocks and in warehouses with no outdoor access. “Free-Range” and “Free-Roaming” hens are supposed to be allowed to roam outdoors, but a crucial thing to keep in mind with these labels, as with “Cage-Free,” is that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn’t regulate them.
The USDA backs products that have “Certified Organic” stamped on them. Chickens that lay these eggs are fed an organic, all-vegetarian diet that is pesticide and antibiotic-free. Farmers are not allowed to put these chickens in cages and are required to give them outdoor access, but there are no standards on how much and on its quality. The “Certified Organic” label, however, still permits debeaking and starving hens to force them to molt to maximize egg production.
Eggs labeled “certified humane raised and handled” get their nods of approval from Humane Farm Animal Care, a program endorsed by numerous animal welfare organizations, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Humane Farm Animal Care requires that the hens be cage-free, and also has standards for things such as ventilation, density, and number of provided perches and nesting boxes. The American Humane Association puts out the “American humane certified” label, and has standards similar to those of Humane Farm Animal Care. Farmers that produce “American human certified” eggs, however, cannot force their hens to molt by starving them.
In order to ensure that the chickens laying your eggs are humanely treated, you would ideally visit the farm and see the hens’ living conditions for yourself. For many of us, however, this isn’t possible. You can visit your local farmers’ market and talk with the farmers selling eggs to find out what their practices and values are like. If it’s off-season for your area farmers’ market, or if farmers’ markets aren’t feasible for you, linger a little more in front of the egg shelves at the grocery store and study the labels. Not sure just how humane your grocery store’s egg offerings are? Make note of the brand names, and see if the companies have more information online, or contact them directly.
It’s true that cage free eggs cost more than the regular store brand eggs. Cage-free hens are more active than their caged counterparts, and eat more feed, which can also be more costly especially if organic. But if we’re willing to pay more for a carton of humanely raised eggs, we can help support farmers who share our values and encourage more farms to follow suit.
Source: BecauseAction.com
