So many choices, but what does any of that mean for you and what you put in your mouth?
Cage Free: The label "cage free" does not mean there are any standards or auditing mechanisms behind it. As the term implies, hens laying eggs labeled as "cage free" are uncaged inside barns or warehouses, but generally do not have access to the outdoors. They have the ability to engage in some of their natural behaviors such as walking and nesting. There is no information regarding what the birds can be fed. Forced molting through starvation is permitted. There is no third-party auditing.
Certified Humane: The birds are uncaged inside barns or warehouses, but may be kept indoors at all times. They must be able to perform natural behaviors such as nesting, perching, and dust bathing. There are requirements for stocking density and number of perches and nesting boxes. Forced molting through starvation is prohibited. Compliance is verified through third-party auditing. Certified Humane is a program of Humane Farm Animal Care.
Certified Organic: The birds are uncaged inside barns or warehouses, and are required to have outdoor access (although there have been concerns about lax enforcement, with some large-scale producers not providing birds meaningful access to the outdoors). They are fed an organic, all-vegetarian diet free of antibiotics and pesticides, as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program. Forced molting through starvation is permitted. Compliance is verified through third-party auditing.
Free Range: While the USDA has defined the meaning of "free range" for some poultry products, there are no standards in "free range" egg production. Typically, free range egg-laying hens are uncaged inside barns or warehouses and have outdoor access. They can engage in many natural behaviors such as nesting and foraging. However, there is no information on stocking density, the frequency or duration of outdoor access, or the quality of the land accessible to the birds. There is no information regarding what the birds can be fed. Forced molting through starvation is permitted. There is no third-party auditing.
Free Roaming: Also known as "free range," the USDA has defined this claim for some poultry products, but there are no standards in "free roaming" egg production. This essentially means the hens are cage free. There is no third-party auditing.
Natural: This label has no relevance to animal welfare.
Omega-3 Enriched: This label claim has no relevance to animal welfare.
United Egg Producers Certified: The overwhelming majority of the U.S. egg industry complies with this voluntary program, which permits routine cruel and inhumane factory farm practices. By 2008, hens laying these eggs will be afforded 67 square inches of cage space per bird, less area than a sheet of paper. The hens are confined in restrictive, barren cages and cannot perform many of their natural behaviors, including perching, nesting, foraging or even fully stretching their wings. Compliance is verified through third-party auditing. This is a program of the United Egg Producers.
Vegetarian-Fed: These birds are provided a more natural feed than that received by most laying hens, but this label does not have significant relevance to the animals' living conditions.
Grade AA Eggs – Eggs in this category must be clean, unbroken, with a normal shape. Air cells can’t measure more than 1/8”. The egg white must be clear and firm and the yolk should be free from any flaws or blemishes.
Grade A Eggs – Eggs in this category must also be clean, unbroken, with a normal shape. Air cells can be larger, up to 3/16”. The egg white must be clear and “reasonably” firm and the yolk should be free from any flaws or blemishes.
Grade B Eggs – Eggs in this category are a little different. They still have to be unbroken but may have abnormal shapes or be stained in some smaller areas. Egg whites are often watery and the yolks will often be dark, flattened, or enlarged. Grade B eggs are not sold to the general public and are often used to create liquid or dried egg products.
Please do not misunderstand, I am not the person who is going to tell you not to ingest any animal product because of the animals. We all know where animal products come from and we'll leave it at that.
I felt like sharing the humane issues because I actually learned a thing or two today.
My "organic" bubble was burst.
See, I only buy organic eggs, so I was saving the world and only eating happy chicken eggs, right?!? WRONG!
I don't ingest conventional animal products and my opinion can and will sometimes come out. I'm all for meat but I don't want to eat sad, stressed out meat, so consider this girl bummed.
Note: I will call the producer of my organic eggs to see if they are debeaked (which is legal!!!!)
Follow-up to come!
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