Today, for the first time, Americans have several organic and humane food labeling programs to choose from:

• “Certified Organic” (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
• “Certified Humane” (Humane Farm Animal Care)
• “American Humane Certified” (American Humane Association)
• “Animal Welfare Approved” (Animal Welfare Institute)
• “Animal Compassionate” (coming soon from Whole Foods Market)

But food-labeling programs are not equal in terms of animal welfare; these programs differ in a number of important ways. When evaluating organic and humane labels consumers should ask the following:

• Were the animals given antibiotics, other than for the treatment of disease?
• Were the animals treated with hormones?
• Did the animals have access to fresh air, and if animals were confined indoors was air quality monitored?
• Were the animals confined to a feedlot at any point in their lives?
• Did the animals have regular access to the outdoors and access to pasture?
• How much space was given to each animal?
• Was there a maximum flock or herd size?
• Were the animals confined to cages or crates?
• Was appropriate bedding provided to the animals?
• What was the minimum weaning age?
• Were surgical mutilations, like tail docking and debeaking, performed on the animals and, if so, was pain relief provided?
• Were the animals allowed normal daily cycles of darkness and light?
• Was the use of electrical prods allowed?
• For birds, was humane slaughter with gas stunning required?

Farm Animal Welfare Glossary of Terms >>

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