Have you wondered what all the labels mean when it comes to poultry and egg descriptions? How do we decide which is the best choice when it comes to these foods? Let’s check out what all these labels mean.
Poultry labeling includes chicken, turkey, duck, goose, and other farmed birds such as quail and pheasant. In the poultry industry, most meat found in the average grocery store is from a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) where animals are “factory” farmed; yet we see all these different labels that describe “healthy” options.
Antibiotic Free or No Antibiotics Administered means the poultry never received any antibiotics from “birth to harvest”. This includes no administered antibiotics to treat an illness or added to feed or water prophylactically (to prevent disease).
Hormone Free or No Hormones – this label is being used as a marketing tool. It has been illegal in the US to give poultry hormones since 1959; therefore, mandated by law to be hormone free. If the poultry is labeled “hormone free or no hormones”, it must be followed by a statement that says, “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”
Naturally Raised is another marketing tool and does not have legal guidelines. If you find wild turkey, pheasant, or quail, it would be considered “naturally raised”. Maybe now that lab meat (if we can call it “meat”) is being developed, it will become a defined label from the USDA. The term says nothing about what the poultry ate, how it was raised, and if it was given antibiotics.
Natural poultry means that the product has been minimally processed and no artificial flavoring, coloring, or preservatives have been added after the time of slaughter. The term “natural” must also be accompanied by a statement that explains how it applies to that particular product (for example, “No artificial flavors” or “Minimally processed.”) This label says nothing about what the poultry was fed or how it was raised.
Vegetarian Fed can be misleading as most poultry are actually omnivores (eat plant and animal food). For example, chickens will eat insects, mice, frogs, and snakes. So, when you see the label “Vegetarian Fed”, you now know that the diet didn’t not include the animal protein needed for a healthy diet.
Free-Range is a vague description at best. There is not a precise government definition. The USDA generally permits this label if “poultry have daily access to the outdoors for at least some part of the day, whether the birds choose to go outside or not.” This means birds could be outside scratching for additional food or it can mean they are still cooped up in large buildings and choose not to go outside. There really is no way to know how much time the poultry has taken advantage of the “free-range” opportunity.
Certified Organic poultry is a term is regulated by the USDA and requires that all feed fed to the poultry must be certified organic, and free of GMO’s, animal by-products, synthetic fertilizers or pesticides or other additives such as hormones or antibiotics. USDA organic standards also require that poultry must meet “free-range” criteria as well. These standards must be adhered to from the 2nd day of life to the time of slaughter.
Pasture-Raised is an unregulated term but the Humane Farm Animal Care group has established a standard that states to be “pasture-raised,” birds must be raised outdoors year-round with access to shelter to protect them from weather and predators.
Eggs are another product that we can get from poultry and labeling matters here too. The above terms apply to eggs as well. There is one term that applies to only laying hens and that is cage free. This means the birds are able to “freely” roam in a building, room, or enclosed area.
Questions to ask your farmer whether you are shopping at the supermarket or your local farmer. You can also check out websites or email farms and suppliers directly to get answers to these questions.
- Can you tell me about how the birds are raised, what they are fed, is the feed certified organic (or at least, organically grown in the case of small local producers who may not be able to afford organic certification)?
- Can the birds freely access the outdoors whenever they please? If so, how much space do they have to roam? Are they confined to covered porches?
- Can you tell me about the health of the flock? Are antibiotics used regularly or only when it’s a matter of saving or improving the life of a bird?
- Are you birds raised outdoors year-round in their natural habitat and allowed to forage for bugs etc.? Do they have ready access to shelter when needed?
If you are buying locally don’t be afraid to ask to visit the farm. A farmer with well cared for healthy animals with good living conditions will be glad to show you around. I have found this to be true. You can check out my “Meet Your Farmer” posts through the search box for area farmers whose farms I have visited. There have been farms that have said no to my visiting and I choose to not purchase from them.
I hope this helps to make health-promoting decisions when purchasing your poultry. For our family, we purchase most of our poultry from local farms that we have established a good relationship with. I know how they feed and treat their animals; I am supporting my local community and the health of my family.
If you missed my post on seafood labeling, you can check it out here.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Heather
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