Don't worry, let's break it down and go through the terms you may see on your eggs and see what the FDA says about them and compare them to what they mean to us.
There are many loop holes in the definition of these terms. As a matter of fact, there aren't even very strict requirements to pass an audit. In the audit manual on the FDA's website, it states that after the initial audit, only 50% of a company's locations that houses laying hens is required to be checked (pg. 5). These are the conditions of the laying birds that are allowed according to the FDA:
- Debeaking allowed
- Confinement to small cages allowed
- Access to the outdoors not required
- Forced molting allowed (to be phased out in January 2006)
- Humane slaughter not addressed (pg. 5)
Okay, so let's get down to it. What does it mean to be organic? Wouldn't you think that the animals are fed organic feed and they are kept in an environment conducive to a healthy bird? Well ...... The NOP regulations require that organically raised animals be provided with "access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of production, the climate and the environment." (pg. 58).
That is what the FDA says is required to be called organic. Sounds good, right? Then read the next few lines: Immediately after the NOP regulations were finalized poultry and egg producers complained that they should be exempted from the requirements. In May 2002 the National Organic Standards Board accepted public comment on the issue and adopted a clarification of the requirement. The clarification stated "organic livestock facilities must give poultry the ability to choose to be in the housing or outside in the open air and direct sunlight" and, furthermore, that a producer's organic system plan must "illustrate how the producer will maximize and encourage access to the outdoors." However, the USDA's official interpretation of the "access" provision, released in October 2002, simply said producers must provide livestock with an opportunity to exit any barn or other enclosure. (pg. 58). Still sound good?
Our chickens are allowed to go anywhere on our property and forage for bugs, which is their natural diet. They have access to non-gmo feed made locally for us, if they choose as well. You can see a video of our laying hens on our farm.
The USDA and FDA on free range, pasture raised, etc. - Although there is no regulatory definition for these claims, as a matter of policy, FSIS permits the use of this claim on labels of poultry products under certain circumstances. In order to obtain approval for labels bearing the claim "free range" or "free roaming" poultry producers must provide a brief description of the birds' housing conditions when the label is submitted to the FSIS Labeling and Consumer Protection Staff for approval. ...... There is no independent verification of claims on meat and poultry labels. Preapproval of labeling claims is based on producer testimonials only. .... Due to the fact that poultry is slaughtered at an extremely young age (meat chickens live only approximately six weeks), many birds raised during the winter months never experience the outdoors. The number and size of exits, and the size of the outdoor. area are not specified. Moreover, no limits are placed on animal density or flock size under the "free range" or "free roaming" label. Producers use a variety of concerns, such as weather and risk of disease and predation, to justify denying access to the outdoors. Even when access is provided, conditions may be far from ideal, resulting in the birds choosing to remain indoors where feed is readily available. (pgs. 22-23).
Again, our chickens are free to forage and roam, supplemented with non-gmo feed free of antibiotics.
Are you ok with not knowing the conditions your hens are kept in and as a result now knowing what you're getting in your eggs from the supermarket? If not, come out to the farm and see how happy our chickens are and see exactly where your eggs are coming from. We'd love to have you!
Citation:
Farm Animal Welfare (Vol. 1), No date given. http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/06p0394/06p-0394-cp00001-15-Tab-13-Farm-Animal-Welfare-01-vol1.pdf
