![]() To get the agency’s approval, companies have to show documentation explaining how animals are raised and providing proof of third party certification when applicable, among other things.īut the government offers guidance on certain labels. That means that while animal product processors don’t have to tell customers how animals are raised, they are supposed to adhere to a set of standards if they make these types of claims. However, “animal-raising claims are treated as ‘special statements’ and these claims must be pre-approved by FSIS prior to use in commerce.” “There are no regulations specifically addressing animal-raising claims,” an FSIS spokesperson explained. When it comes to claims about how animals are raised, the government generally lets companies self report. ![]() That outdoor area may be fenced in or covered with a net. In addition to these conditions, free-range hens should have “continuous” access to the outdoors while they are in their laying cycle, the USDA explained. That may look different from farm to farm, the agency noted. But they can use a third party to certify certain claims, or ask the USDA to certify that its hens are “cage free” or “free range.”Ĭompanies that opt in to this USDA certification have to pay a fee.Īccording to the USDA’s standards, cage free birds can “freely roam a building, room or enclosed area with unlimited access to food and fresh water during their production cycle.” They also need to have access to perches and nests, and be protected from predators. In a 2016 blog post, the USDA explained that “not all USDA graded eggs are cage-free, and not all cage-free eggs are graded by USDA.”Įgg sellers don’t have to tell customers how hens are treated. Both poultry and livestock must have access to an outdoor space throughout the year.Īnd for packaged foods, it’s all about the ingredients: For a food item with multiple ingredients to be considered organic by the USDA, at least 95% of those ingredients have to be certified organic. Livestock have to consume an organic diet, plus vitamin and mineral supplements as needed. The requirements for animal products are a little different. Seeds used can’t be genetically engineered. Instead, farmers need to use permitted substances as well as farming practices - like using cover crops and rotating crops to promote soil health - to manage their operations. “Organic” has slightly different definitions, depending on what kind of food you’re buying.įor fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products to be certified organic by the USDA, farmers and growers need to avoid the use of prohibited substances (generally, anything synthetic) when managing pests, weeds, disease and soil. ![]() Organic labeled vegetables in a grocery store in Chicago.
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