All About Egg Labels

Up until recent years, I wasn’t too confident in choosing eggs while doing groceries. There are multiple labels to come across, and choosing wisely can become an inner debate for some.

The labels:

Organic Organic means the eggs come from hens who have not been given antibiotics, are not held in battery / enriched cages and have access to natural lighting. It also means that their feed is organic, free of pesticides and is Non GMO. However, this doesn’t provide any insight whatsoever to how the hens are actually being contained, and where that natural light is coming from - it could very well just be a teeny hidden window.

Non GMO This signifies that again, the feed they are consuming is Non GMO, but not necessarily organic. This label shows nothing about the birds' living situations.

Natural According to the Government of Canada, the CFIA’s (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) view is that all eggs are natural. Therefore, the term "natural" is permitted only if it appears as part of a statement such as "all eggs are natural" or "like all eggs, these eggs are natural". This label I find to be irrelevant when it comes to buying eggs, as it holds no entitlement to the actual farming practices. Additionally, it is labeled on products containing eggs to indicate that the product holds minimal processing and artificial additives.

Vegetarian, Grain or Organic Fed Chickens are not meant to be vegetarian, they are omnivores. Apart from vegetation & wild seeds, they consume other smaller species like larvae, bugs of all sorts & even very small animals. Grain fed implies that they are given a cheap blend of grains, usually in the form of pellets, which could be a mix of additives, byproducts, processed and/or genetically modified corn & soy products if not certified organic. As stated above, organic feed is Non GMO, free of pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic substances like hormones and antibiotics.

Cage free, Free run or Free Range Cage free simply means that the hens are not caged, but doesn't mean they have any access to the outdoors. Free run entails that the hens are not caged, and may roam within a barn freely, but do not have outdoor entry. Free range means they have at least 2 square feet and are able to go outside, but that could be a little door flap leading to a mud patch with absolutely no vegetation, insects or anything really. This by no means indicates that they live outdoors freely, and doesn’t confirm elimination of cruelty, which you may read about here[https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/animals-used-food-factsheets/poultry-eggs-industries-abuse-chickens/]

Hormone Free or No Added Hormones This statement can be deemed a little silly, as added hormones are not regulated to be given to poultry at all in both Canada and the United States. Hormones aren’t what we should be looking at here, especially considering poultry naturally contain hormones in their bodies, but rather antibiotics. This is more of a concern because conventional farming administers antibiotics into the birds to prevent any disease from spreading and to ‘keep the chickens healthy’.

Humane If certified humane via the HFAC (humane farm animal care), the hens aren’t necessarily cage free. This cert allows for enriched cages, which means that the area provides a small space to allow for more movement, a nest, and access to perches. The space is still limited and gets crammed. However, if you come across a label that is certified humane AND free range or pasture raised, you may rest assured that the hens are not restricted to cages and have access to a pasture. You can also read more on HFAC standards here [https://certifiedhumane.org/our-standards/]

Pasture Raised This is what you want! This label is more true to natural than those actually labeled natural, because conventional methods of egg production are absolutely not natural. Pasture raised ensures that the hens have access to a pasture, enabling them to feed themselves on what they’re intended to eat. If this certification is also organic, certified humane, or has an animal welfare approval label, then these hens have a nice healthy life.

Spot the difference: The shells of eggs from hens of better lifestyles are more difficult to break through compared to those coming from a conventional factory setting. You’ll also notice the yolks are much darker, almost orange, and this is due to the high content of the strong antioxidant known as lutein, which is lacking in factory eggs (along with many other nutrients). *Studies show that pasture raised chickens lay eggs with higher contents of vitamin A, E, D and omega 3 fatty acids. Free range too, as they do have access to direct sunlight and hopefully optimal food. *

Lastly, pasture raised/organic is better for the environment since they feed on the organic grounds surrounding. Their poop naturally fertilizes the land which may reduce exposure to toxins and chemicals such as pesticides. Like us, they should have access to their natural inherited diet.

Aim for labels certifying pasture raised/and or organic, and local is best! You can explore sites like this one [https://www.eatwild.com/products/canada.html] which allow you to discover local farms near you.