How to Decode Humane Food Labels at the Supermarket
From The Observatory
Navigating the various food labels at the supermarket can be overwhelming, and not all labels are truthful. Conscientious consumers seek to make informed choices about the food we consume, considering its impact on animals, the environment, and ethical production practices. This guide aims to help decipher food labels, separating fact from fiction, to assist in making more informed food purchases.
Reviewing Common Animal-Based Food Labels:
1. American Humane Certified (AHC):
Verdict: Humanewashing
Most AHC-labeled products come from factory farms that confine animals and engage in inhumane practices. Despite providing slightly more space and enrichments than standard practices, AHC fails baseline standards for farmed animal welfare.
2. Animal Welfare Approved (AWA):
Verdict: Accurate
AWA is one of the best welfare labels in the United States. Animals are raised on pasture with outdoor access and enrichments. While not widely available, AWA offers higher welfare conditions.
3. USDA Certified Organic:
Verdict: Flawed
USDA organic standards do not necessarily correlate with improved animal welfare. Animals may be raised in low welfare conditions on factory farms, and specific unnatural characteristics may be bred into them. The label does not require essential enrichments for animals’ well-being.
4. United Egg Producers (UEP):
Verdict: Humanewashing
The UEP Certified program represents standard factory farming practices with no meaningful animal welfare standards.
5. Heritage and Standard Bred:
Verdict: Accurate but Partially Important
Heritage and standard-bred birds have high welfare genetics but may not be raised in high welfare conditions. Additional welfare certifications are necessary for more meaningful animal welfare claims.
6. No Added Hormones:
Verdict: Meaningless for Animal Welfare
Federal regulations prohibit hormone use in pig and poultry production. This claim only ensures the absence of added hormones in beef products.
7. Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Steps 1-5+:
Verdict: Varying degrees of welfare standards, but often fall short
GAP certifications range from minimal welfare improvements to higher welfare conditions. While higher steps offer better conditions, they are rare and more expensive.
8. One Health Certified (OHC):
Verdict: Humanewashing
OHC falls short on animal welfare, antibiotic use, and environmental impact. It enshrines factory farming practices and fails to meet consumer expectations.
9. Certified Humane:
Verdict: Humanewashing, with exceptions
Certified Humane indicates slightly higher welfare standards than industry norms but falls short of consumer expectations. Variations like “free range” and “pasture-raised” offer better conditions.
10. Other Labels:
Labels like “vegetarian fed,” ”antibiotic-free,” “pasture-raised,” “free range,” and “all-natural” often lack meaningful regulations and verification; their claims are meaningless for animal welfare.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
