How meaningful are the labels on chicken packages? Sometimes, not very. When we visited one free-range chicken farm a few years ago, we found a penned, 10x30-foot patch of dirt topped with chicken manure and grass. A second "range" consisted of a larger pen, but the birds chose to stay in a small area filled with weeds and an old drum. Other labels are more meaningful. Here's a primer. For more information on these labels and others, visit www.eco-labels.org, a site sponsored by Consumers Union.
Free-farmed. The American Humane Association has verified that the animals had, among other things, access to clean water and food, and that no antibiotic was used for growth promotion.
Free-range, Free-roaming. Poultry has had "access" to the outdoors, even if that means only that the door to the coop was left open for a few hours.
Fresh. The bird's internal temperature has never dropped below 24' F. Nevertheless, we've found plenty of "fresh" chicken frozen hard as a rock.
Kosher. This poultry was prepared according to Jewish dietary laws. Salt was added as part of the process.
Natural. No artificial ingredients or color were added, and the bird was "minimally processed." This isn't a helpful label, since there is no verification system.
No additives. Additives are agents such as coloring, preservatives, or flavorings, including salt. The USDA and FDA share authority over the approval of additives in meat and poultry, but there is no standard guidance or verification for manufacturers using the "no additives" label. Other chemicals, such as pesticides and antibiotics, can still be used in producing chickens with this label.
No antibiotics. Chickens were raised without such drugs, but unless the chicken has a certified "organic" label, it is unlikely the claims have been verified.
No chemicals added. There's no standard guidance or verification system for manufacturers using this label. Antibiotics and additives are not legally classified as chemicals; presumably, they could be added by a manufacturer using this label.
No hormones. The USDA prohibits the use of hormones in raising poultry, so this claim could be used on all chickens. Birds with this boast are just crowing about following the law.
Organic. These chickens are certified as having been raised without the use of most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, antibiotics, genetic engineering, irradiation, sewage sludge, and artificial ingredients. [Emphasis added by mindfully.org]
source: Link [link extremely long] 11dec02
|
If you have come to this page from an outside location click here to get back to mindfully.org |