Understanding Egg Labels

So as a former vegan it was a tough decision for me to start eating eggs again.  When I made the decision I was facing some health issues that were a result of my lack of protein and my acupuncturist was strongly suggesting that I either drink bone broth or add meat and/or eggs into my diet.  For those vegans out there, you will understand the sense of anxiousness that I felt.  I knew however that I once enjoyed eggs, unlike meat, and that if I was going to make it change it could be here.

I began to do my own research on eggs and what to buy so that I would feel more comfortable purchasing eggs.  This might have been a bad idea, but overall it opened my eyes to the food industry and the labels that are so incredibly misleading.

I am not sure if those reading this have ever watched any documentaries or read about how chickens are treated in order for us to get eggs and meat from them, however most American ways are absolutely terrifying and inhumane.  I highly suggest becoming more aware about the meat industry without becoming overpowering with my beliefs.

So anyway, I wanted to provide you a list of labels and what they actually mean (in my terms),

Cage Free--so this is what I immediately began to buy.  I knew that "cages" were the problem and I could not imagine eating eggs that came from a chicken that was only given about 8-12 inches of room to move around.  But please listen, Cage Free, DOES NOT mean the chickens are able to roam free as they should be.  This just means they are not in a cage, but rather a large industrial barn, called an aviary, that still limits them to space.  The conditions of these barns are not sanitary and the chickens live among each others feces.  It is disgusting to think about.   They have about one square foot a bird.  More than 11 percent of cage free birds die, predominantly from pecking of other chickens.  Imagine that life.

Image: The Seattle Times

Hormone Free, or No Hormones--it is actually illegal to give chickens hormones so I am unsure why this is even a label.  Basically it is telling you that your chicken was not illegally poisoned.

Free Range--free range means that chickens are not subjected to cages and have access to outdoors.  However, by outdoors the typical access means some sort of outdoor space, such as a porch or screened in area that is accessible by small doors from the aviary.  When I think of Free Range I want to think of chickens roaming free.  This is not necessarily the case and I find this label the most misleading in my mind.

Vegetarian Diet--also super misleading.  Ignorantly, I used to think, oh awesome they are just like me.  Chickens are omnivores, not herbivores, so I am also unsure why this would be seen as a good thing, or even a purpose for a label at all.  Chickens should be eating worms and other insects for a natural way of living, not a diet of corn fortified with amino acids.

Pasture Raised--this means exactly what it says, that chickens are pasture raised, and they also have access to a barn.  This is the type of egg, that when concerned with the humanity of birds, we should be eating.  It is the most natural state for the chickens.  And while it comes for at a higher price, isn't it worth the extra money to know that you have held a little more compassion for the animal that has given his life for your nutrition.

Image: Organic Producer Mag

This all makes me sad to think about, and makes me question again my consumption of eggs.  But I know for me right now this is working for my body.  While I certainly limit my consumption of eggs, at least those that I do, I know they are pasture raised and treated "subjectively" as they should be in this life.

Thank you chickens.