Understanding Egg Carton Labels

What do the labels on egg cartons mean? Why are there so many different labels for something as simple as eggs?

Nutrition

Whole eggs (yes, those yolks are good for you!) are a great source of vitamins B12, D, A, iron, protein, folic acid, amino acids, lutein and zeaxanthin (plant-based antioxidants), and are linked to better cognitive health in your later years. Eggs are one of natures most balanced foods. Have you ever wondered, what is the difference is between brown eggs and white? The difference in brown or white eggs, has to do with the breed of chicken that lays the egg! There is no nutritional difference between egg size and color.

How do I know what I’m paying more for, is worth it?

Wondering which kinds of eggs to buy at the store? Faced with so many different “trendy” descriptions slapped onto their cartons – it can be very confusing to know which eggs are worth spending your money on!  A general rule of thumb is to know that aside from certified organic, the US government does NOT set definitions or requirements for egg carton labels. This means that labels like “farm fresh eggs,” “all natural eggs,” “pasture-raised eggs” and “vegetarian-fed eggs,” are not regulated and they very well could be used for marketing purposes, with little to no truth behind them. I think you’ll be shocked to find that many of the common labels listed below, are not quite as romantic as they sound. Read on to learn more about what you are buying and consuming:

• Cage-free – USDA regulated, “cage-free” means they have space and unlimited access to food and water – there are no specifications on amount of space. Typically, they are living in 1 square foot of space in a massive barn or multi-tiered aviary housing thousands of birds. Similar to caged hens, they don’t get to go outside, they don’t have access to sunshine and do not breathe fresh air. They suffer from reduced air quality, as they are living amongst their own waste, which produces ammonia. Most have their beaks cut off (debeaking) to prevent the learned behavior of cannibalism as a result of industrial breeding and housing, and they are unable to eat normally or preen their feathers. Even in cage-free systems, disease still spreads like crazy. This kills the romantic notion of birds living in open spaces… however, cage-free birds are still better off than caged. They are able to move around, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nest.

• Free-range – This means cage-free, plus access to the outdoors. Most still have their beaks cut off (debeaking) and they are unable to eat normally or preen their feathers. Because there aren’t any specifications to what this label really means, it can mean hens have an indoor space, connected to an outdoor area, or have access only through a “pop hole,” with no full-body access to the outdoors and no minimum space requirement.

• Pasture-raised – Not a USDA regulated term, this does not guarantee they have space or even a pasture.  If in fact they do have access to a pasture, it could be very crowded with thousands of hens. For farms that do follow through with their labeling claim, the idea is that these hens spend most of their lives outside, with access to a barn for shelter. A newer term popping up, “al fresco” eggs denotes pasture-raised eggs that are fed a conventional diet. Conventional diet means feed that contains pesticides, genetically modified (GMO) corn and soy and arsenic.

• Omega – 3 – The omega-3’s in their diet are probably coming from a feed that includes small amounts of flax seeds. There is no guarantee this leads to higher levels of omega-3’s in their eggs.

• No Hormones – A misleading marketing scheme, because in the USA it’s illegal to give hormones to poultry.

• No Antibiotics – Conventional egg-laying hens are treated with FDA approved antibiotics, which leads to antibiotic resistance in humans. It’s estimated that antibiotics are rarely used to treat hens in the USA, as farmers rely more on vaccines and other “management practices” that reduce disease. “No Antibiotics” as a label, is not regulated, but should only be used by farmers not using antibiotics in feed or water.

• Vegetarian Diet – Not regulated, this strange, controversial, unnatural practice should raise a red flag because chickens are omnivores by nature – not vegetarian!

• Organic – Farmers using this label are subject to USDA regulations. This means organic eggs must come from chickens that are free-range (cage-free plus access to the outdoors), fed organic feed (no synthetic pesticides, animal by-products, GMO’s or arsenic and can’t be grown using chemical fertilizers) and receive no hormones or antibiotics. This is your safest bet, to get the cleanest option when it comes to buying eggs.

• Certified Humane – For Certified Humane status, “there must be 1.5 square feet per hen, litter for dust bathing, perches for the birds, and ammonia levels at a maximum of 10ppm, which means the scent is imperceptible.” Eggs labeled certified humane and free-range, means the hens have a minimum of two square feet of outdoor space per bird. Certified humane pasture-raised hens must have 108-square-feet per bird.

SAFE CHOICES: 

When it comes down to what type of egg can you feel most comfortable buying and consuming, I love Vital Farms organic and “Pasture Verde” eggs, as well as Kirkland brand organic (at Costco you’re getting 2 doz organic eggs for a great price – and they’re certified humane); choosing any USDA certified organic egg brand, is far better than any other label.

Helpful Sources:

American Humane Certified: Producers in this list, have committed their operations to the humane treatment of animals under the guidelines and best practices outlined in the American Humane Certified™ program standards

Animal Welfare Institute

Certified Humane: Certification organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals in food production. Use their “where to buy” tool to find stores near you, selling certified humane products. They also have a useful mobile app you can download!

PETA: The egg industrys history of deceiving customers and the truth about “free range.”