Labels
 The multi-billion dollar food industry is capitalizing on consumer concern with confusing and often deceptive labels. Most labels address only the conditions under which the animals are raised and are not subject to verification or enforcement by any agency.
The "organic" label is the notable exception, as it is regulated by the USDA. Other labels are provided by trade associations, non-governmental organizations, or private groups with varying degrees of enforcement and personal interest. Below are details about specific labels, what they include and loopholes to consider.
Please note that the most labels only cover how animals are raised. They do NOT change how animals are transported or slaughtered. In fact, Kosher and Halal labels may be indicative of greater animal suffering because animals must be kept conscious during the slaughter process.
 - Loophole alerts provide details about objectionable actions still permitted under each category. The Loophole Alert highlights some problematic or misleading omissions and ambiguities. Since many areas of production, transport and/or slaughter are not covered by the labels, they allow painful and highly objectionable standard practices to continue by default.
For example, all labels allow by omission the standard practice of culling male chicks from egg-laying hens. Since male chicks will not be able to produce eggs, the producers dispose of 250 million newborn chicks every year (apx. 650,000/day).
- maceration, using a large high-speed grinder into which live chicks are fed
- gases or gas mixtures, often carbon dioxide is used to induce unconsciousness and then death
- cervical dislocation, manually induced dislocation of the spinal column from the skull
- suffocation (chicks are thrown way in trash cans, buried alive under each other)
Common causes of suffering endured by "humanely" raised animals:
- amputation without painkillers (ex: debeaking, castration, and tail-docking)
- severe crowding and insufficient "actual" time outdoors.
- extreme weather temperatures during transport
- slaughter (all animals raised for food suffer a slaughterhouse end)
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Processes designated with this symbol  do NOT reduce animal suffering.
Organic - regulated by USDA. (2)
Under USDA's National Organic Program (NOP), organic producers meet the following guidelines:
Animals must be raised under organic management from the last third of gestation, or not later than the 2nd day of life for birds. Producers are required to use feeds that are 100 percent organic, but may also include vitamin and mineral supplements.
Animals may not be given hormones to promote growth or antibiotics for any reason. Preventive management practices, including the use of vaccines, may be used to keep animals healthy. Producers are prohibited from withholding treatment from a sick or injured animal; however, animals treated with medication may not be sold as organic.
Organically-raised animals should have bedding and access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for cattle and other ruminants. They may be temporarily confined only for reasons of health, safety, the animal’s stage of production, or to protect soil or water quality.
• Newborn male chicks of egg-laying hens are not protected by label requirements, thus allowing industries to suffocate, gas, grind, or otherwise dispose of them as standard operating procedure.
• Chickens raised for meat may be kept in continual lighting, which does not allow rest and promotes excessive eating. The result is chickens grow at accelerated rates and many develop skeletal problems.
• Access to outdoors, does not require that animals actually spend time outdoors. Access may be insufficient relative to the number of animals needing access.
• Dairy cows may be tied to stalls so they cannot move freely.
• Some of the certifying agents have permitted chicken producers to use the rule allowing temporary confinement to keep birds confined indoors most or all of the time.
• Some large organic dairies have been allowed to house cows without access to pasture. |
Free-Range, Free-Roaming - regulated by USDA - only for birds
Birds have access to the outdoors.
• Newborn male chicks of egg-laying hens are not protected by label requirements, thus allowing industries to suffocate, gas, grind, or otherwise dispose of them as standard operating procedure.
• The label is sometimes used--but is not regulated--for cows, pigs, sheep, or goats.
• The amount of space or time outdoor and stocking density (crowding) are not regulated for any animals. Some producers have a small outside space added on the buildings that house tens of thousands of chickens, but only a few birds can access it. |
Cage-Free - NOT regulated
Applies to eggs from chickens who are not kept in cages.
• Newborn male chicks of egg-laying hens are not protected by label requirements, thus allowing industries to suffocate, gas, grind, or otherwise dispose of them as standard operating procedure.
• Outdoor access and stocking density (crowding) are not regulated. Chickens may be severely crowded and still labeled as "cage-free." |
Pastured - NOT regulated
Refers to a modified free-range system whereby birds are raised on pasture and provided shelter that can be moved by hand or tractor. Chickens can get up to 20% of feed from pasture forage in these systems.
• newborn male chicks of egg-laying hens are not protected by label requirements, thus allowing industries to suffocate, gas, grind, or otherwise dispose of them as standard operating procedure. |
Grass-Fed - to be regulated by USDA - does NOT reduce animal suffering
Cattle must be fed grass instead of grains and soybeans.
• Cows may be confined and grass-fed. Label does not equate to grazing in a pasture. The label may include in small print "grain-finished," indicating that the cow spent some time confined in a feedlot. |
No Antibiotics - regulated by USDA - does NOT reduce animal suffering
USDA does not permit the use of antibiotics.
• Sick animals may not receive needed treatment because they will lose this certification. |
No Hormones - regulated by USDA for bird feed - does NOT reduce animal suffering
USDA does not permit the use of hormones for birds or pigs.
• In products from birds or pigs, the label is is misleading as hormones are already outlawed.
• If the label is used on other animal products, the use of hormones is not regulated. |
Natural - to be regulated by USDA - does NOT reduce animal suffering
Refers to a product that contains no artificial ingredients or colorings and is only minimally processed. The label must explain the type of processing used.
• May contain hormones and/or antibiotics. |
Certified Humane - endorsed by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Prohibits use of severe confinement such as cages, gestation stalls, and veal crates.
• Newborn male chicks of egg-laying hens are not protected by label requirements, thus allowing industries to suffocate, gas, grind, or otherwise dispose of them as standard operating procedure.
• There is no requirement that pigs or chickens have access to the outdoors.
• Pigs may have their tails docked (cut off without painkillers). |
American Humane Certified - (formerly Free Farmed) developed and regulated by the American Humane Association (AHA)
Egg-laying hens are not caged. Animals have access to food and water.
• Fee-based service calls impartiality into doubt.
• Most factory farming practices may be acceptable. Requirements are vague. Details are not provided.
• Newborn male chicks of egg-laying hens are not protected by label requirements, thus allowing industries to suffocate, gas, grind, or otherwise dispose of them as standard operating procedure.
• There is no requirement that pigs or chickens have access to the outdoors.
• Chickens may be debeaked and pigs may have their tails docked (cut off without painkillers).
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Less is More: the best way to help animals is to "kick the meat habit."
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References
1.Organic Production and Handling Standards
2. Lydia Oberholtzer, Catherine Greene, and Enrique Lopez. “Organic Poultry and Eggs Capture High Price Premiums and Growing Share of Specialty Markets,” Outlook Report, a publication of the Economic Research Service, USDA, December 2006.
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