Similar, But Not The Same:- Understanding Easily-Mistaken Eco Food Labels
It’s all too easy to be confused by food labels – there’s so much information. But what do the well-known eco food labels really mean? Different labels often use similar colors and symbols, and they also carry statements that sound the same. But they may have a completely different meaning.
If you’ve ever wondered about the differences and true meanings of these eco food labels, read on, because you’re going to find some great examples of labels whose meanings can be easily mistaken.
American Grassfed vs Animal Welfare Approved Food Labels
These labels are mostly placed on beef, bison, lamb, goat, pork, poultry, eggs, milk, butter and cheese.
Products that have American Grassfed label come from animals that have eaten nothing but their mother’s milk and fresh grass or grass-type hay from birth right up until they are killed. They can only be raised in pasture, not in confinement, and only on American farms. Farmers may not treat them with hormones or antibiotics.
If producers want to put “American Grassfed” on their product, they need to apply and be tested for AGA Certification. If they receive this certification, they are audited every year to make sure they still abide by all the rules.
This is a great standard! However, no standards are in place regarding the treatment of breeding animals, animals during transport, or animals at slaughter.
The Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) label on products means that they come from animals that are raised humanely on farms which use sustainable practices. Only family farms can display the AWA label.
Farmers may not treat them with growth hormones or antibiotics. There are some standards for transporting and slaughtering animals. Like American Grassfed, animals raised for meat live on pasture or range their whole lives.
Farmers don’t need to pay to use the AWA label. The AWA say they have “the most rigorous standards for farm animal welfare currently in use by any United States organization.” That’s great, and it’s definitely one of the best food labels to look out for. (But it doesn’t take much to be better than the appalling cruelty to animals on many large commercial and factory farms).
Something important to know: Check the Grassfed Label. Why? The USDA has its own grass-fed label – but animals can be confined indoors all their lives and just fed grass or hay (despite the logo picture). So it’s not as good for animals as the previous 2 labels.
When it comes to chickens, cages and crates are not allowed for AWA certification, and no de-beaking is allowed.
Next – Chocolate and eggs!
Direct vs Fair Trade Food Labels
Direct and Fairtrade labels are the ones that coffee and chocolate lovers are very familiar with. While it is maybe hard to spot the difference between them, they don’t mean the same thing.
Small farmers pay an annual fee for certification by Fair Trade International. No forced or child labour is allowed, farm workers are paid a living wage, and sustainable farming methods are supported. Crop quality, however, is not the main concern.
On the other hand, Direct Trade is defined and regulated by roasters that visit farms regularly to ensure that crops are produced according to standards – but unfortunately there’s no single standard. Also, there’s no independent third-party accountability. Farmers don’t need to pay to use this label.
So there’s an important difference between the two labels:-
- Direct Trade emphasizes the quality of the coffee crop that is produced (although there’s no single standard), but is less concerned with the human aspect.
- Fair Trade simply doesn’t regulate the quality of coffee, it’s much more concerned about the people who work the land, making sure they get a living wage.
Cage-free vs Free-range vs Pasture-raised
Before we talk about common labels that can be found on eggs, there is one interesting fact:- there are more eco labels for eggs than for any other product.
Have you been bewildered by the eco food labels on eggs? It’s not surprising! Read on to find out what they REALLY mean.
Cage-free label on eggs means that hens are not held in small cages during their lifetime, but instead, they can walk around and spread their wings (sort of). It is regulated by USDA, but the chickens don’t spend time on a grass field. Many producers who use this label raise chickens in multi-level, crowded, window-less sheds – and chickens usually never get to see the outdoors. But it’s better than being caged.
Free-range labels, defined by USDA, means that chickens have been raised with “continuous access to the outdoors”. The problem is that they don’t specify the amount of time that chickens spend outdoors, nor how much space is provided for the chickens. They can be outdoors for 5 minutes, or 5 hours a day, or throughout their lifetime. Also, although there’s “access” (e.g. a door), it might be tiny, and the chickens may not be able to get to it if it’s at the other end of the shed.
Eggs with a pasture-raised label come from hens that have been raised outdoors. This term is not regulated by the FDA, thus there aren’t any definite standards for farmers who use it. So it doesn’t really mean a great deal.
United Egg Producer Certified – you’ll probably want to avoid this label, because it offers nothing for the chickens. Battery farming, cage confinement, de-beaking without painkillers and other inhumane treatments are all allowed under this so-called “certification”.
Conclusion and Infographic
With all the above being said, when you choose which eggs or any other food to buy, besides the label, always look for additional statements that will clarify the standards and conditions under which the animal is raised. Also, take a look at this infographic about food sustainability to get more information about common eco-labels that can be found on food, and smart choices that you can make in order to support more sustainable, kinder food production.
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Warm regards,
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