What Is in a Name

Certified Humane Label

The Educated Consumer

The Certified Humane Animal Care Standard

What Is in a Name

--Antibiotic Free

--Cage-Free

--Certified

--Free-Range/Free Roaming

--Genetically Modified

--Grass Fed/Pasture Raised

--Hormone Free

--Natural/Naturally Raised

--Certified Organic/Organic

Consumer Options

Take Action

The Educated Consumer                                                          Back to Top

More than 17 billion animals are used annually in food production in the United States; and the majority of them suffer inhumane treatment on factory farms, where animals are considered production units, not sentient beings. To help consumers choose meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products that come from animals raised according to humane standards, Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) unveiled the Certified Humane Raised & Handled labeling certification program.

Proponents of HFAC’s efforts include the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), The National Humane Education Society (NHES), and a number of regional and local animal welfare organizations. The Certified Humane label is based on “strict animal handling standards, rigorous on-site inspections of farms in the program, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s verification of the entire process,” according to Lisa Weisberg, ASPCA Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy. The ASPCA is a strong supporter of this program because of its cutting-edge efforts to genuinely improve the quality of life of animals raised for food in the United States.

As consumers, we need to be educated about the different labels and their meanings; so we can purchase the most humanely raised food for our tables. For some of us, the most humane choice is a vegetarian or vegan diet. However, many people will continue to incorporate animals and animal products into their diets. For that reason, the following will be helpful in making the most humane choices when at the grocery store or when dining out.

The Certified Humane Animal Care Standard                         Back to Top

Let us look at what it means for an animal product to be labeled Certified Humane Raised and Handled^®. The Certified Humane Animal Care Standards states:

• Animals are allowed to engage in their natural behaviors.
• Animals are raised with sufficient space, shelter, and gentle handling to limit stress.
• Cages, crates, and tie stalls are forbidden.
• Animals have access to ample fresh water and a healthy diet without added antibiotics or hormones.
• Animals are sufficiently protected from the weather.
• Managers and caretakers are thoroughly trained, skilled, and competent in animal husbandry and welfare.

The Certified Humane Raised and Handled^® program is the only farm animal program that is dedicated to improving the welfare of farm animals from birth to slaughter. Producers who are certified under the program may use the Certified Humane Raised and Handled^® logo on their packaging.

What Is in a Name

There are a number of labels used in the meat, dairy, and egg industries to identify how the animals or their products were produced. These labels also make marketing claims that we, as consumers, need to understand. For instance, what do “cage-free,” “free-range,” “free roaming,” “grass fed,” “organic,” and “natural,” among other terms, mean? Some of these terms are accepted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through testimonials and documentation supplied only by the producers. Therefore, it is the producer who determines the meaning of the term. Only two, “cage-free” and “certified organic” are verified by the USDA directly. The following are terms used to describe animal products raised for human consumption.

Antibiotic Free (red meat and poultry)                                           Back to Top

The term “no antibiotics added” may be used on labels for meat or poultry products if sufficient documentation is provided by the producer to the USDA demonstrating that the animals were raised without antibiotics. Antibiotic drugs are routinely given to factory farmed animals in an attempt to stave off disease and illnesses caused mainly due to intensive breeding and rearing of animals. Many antibiotics will remain in the animals’ flesh even after cooking, which is contributing to a growing range of human health-related problems, especially the issue of drug-resistant bacteria.

Cage-Free

Cage-free is a term loosely used to define egg production farming in which the hens are not confined to battery cages. While cage-free is a step away from cruelty and toward more humane standards, it does not mean that hens do not suffer—many cage-free farms simply replace cages with overcrowded sheds, where thousands upon thousands of birds endure enormous physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Until “cage-free” is more clearly defined and federally regulated, many consumers may be misled to believe that a cage-free purchase is a humane choice. The best way to ensure humane treatment of egg-laying hens is to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet and reduce or eliminate egg consumption.

Certified                                                                                     Back to Top

The term “certified” implies that the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Agriculture Marketing Service have officially evaluated a meat product for class, grade, or other quality characteristics (e.g., “Certified Angus Beef”). When used under other circumstances, the term may be closely associated with the name of the organization responsible for the “certification” process, e.g., “XYZ Company’s Certified Beef.”

Free-Range/Free Roaming

Producers must demonstrate to the USDA that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside. Unfortunately, these terms may be used loosely to define factory farming housing that does not confine the animals to cages and crates. While free-range production is a step away from cruelty and toward more humane standards, it does not mean that farmed animals do not suffer. Many free-range farms overcrowd animals into massive sheds, barns, feedlots, and stockyards, where the animals endure enormous physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Until free-range is more clearly defined and federally regulated, many consumers may be misled to believe that a free-range purchase is a humane choice. The best way to ensure humane treatment of animals is to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet and reduce or eliminate animal consumption.

Genetically Modified (GM)                                                            Back to Top

There are no government regulations requiring the labeling of any animal products raised from genetically modified or cloned animals; however, some food companies are now labeling their foods “non-gmo” (meaning the product was made without any genetically modified organisms) to give the public an option.

Grass Fed/Pasture Raised

Although these two terms seem to indicate the animals are out blissfully grazing in the noonday sun, the terms are misleading. There are no regulatory definitions of these terms. Producers can simply let their animals out for an hour or less to graze on land that is hard packed from the sheer numbers of animals grazing on it and still label their product “grass fed.”

Hormone Free (pork and poultry)                                                  Back to Top

Hormones are not allowed in raising hogs or poultry. Therefore, the claim “no hormones added” cannot be used on the labels of pork and poultry unless it is followed by the statement, “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”

Hormone Free (beef)

The term “no hormones administered” may be approved for use on the label of beef products if sufficient documentation is provided to the USDA by the producer showing no hormones have been used in raising the animals.

Natural/Naturally Raised                                                               Back to Top

The labels “natural” and “naturally raised” have nothing to do with where the animals are raised, only that they have not been given any antibiotics, animal by-products, or synthetic growth hormones. Animal products labeled “natural” or “naturally raised” could have come from animals confined to cages and crates with no opportunity to perform natural behaviors.

Certified Organic/Organic

Certified Organic is a designation the USDA gives to animal products from animals who are given access to the outdoors, regardless of how limited that access may be or what quality of life they have outdoors. According to the USDA, products labeled “100 percent organic” must contain organically produced ingredients; those labeled “organic” must consist of 95 percent organically produced ingredients.

Consumer Options                                                                  Back to Top

We have choices when purchasing our food. As we wade through the maze of food labels, we might want to keep in mind the KIS principle—keep it simple. When shopping for groceries, choose whole, fresh foods more often than processed, canned, boxed, or frozen. Read labels; educate yourself on the source of your food. Become a compassionate consumer.

Take Action to Protect Animals and Your Health

What can you do to be a better consumer of animals and animal products? First, stop eating these intelligent, sentient beings. Selecting a vegetarian/vegan diet is the best way to eliminate the number of animals being raised for slaughter or for their products in factory farms and is a gentle choice for the planet as well. Other humane actions include:

• Substitute veggie and soy-based products for animal products.
• Find a vegetarian group in your area and attend a meeting.
• Visit a farm sanctuary and get to know the sentient creature these animals truly are.
• Learn more about factory farming and educate others.
• Support legislation to require stricter regulation and enforcement of animal farming welfare and treatment laws.
• Find local and organic farms—know where your food is coming from.

August 2009                                                                                  Back to Top