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RLLillis

Food Labeling: Explained

Author: RLLillis

FREE RANGE

MYTH: "Free range" means happy chickens running around on a farm until their day comes. I think the average consumer believes this, but it is a myth.

TRUTH: "free range" can be used as long as the producers have given the poultry "access to the outside." There is no rule as to how long the poultry must have access to the outdoors, nor how large the space must be (the "range" a free-range chicken is exposed to could literally be the size of a desktop or smaller).

PASTURE-RAISED

Pasture-raised poultry have been raised on a pasture where they're able to eat grass. However, it's not typically in a free-roaming capacity. The birds are usually raised in movable pens that are dragged around a pasture every few days to give access to fresh grass.

ALL NATURAL

Be very wary of "natural" claims on labels, as usually it can mean just about anything. The claim is only regulated by the USDA in the case of meat and poultry, where "natural" means no artificial ingredients or colors have been added, and the product has been minimally processed. When a product says "natural" be sure they define exactly what they mean or don't be swayed by the designation.

GRASS-FED

This means the animal was fed grass, rather than grains (which is what most cattle are fed). However, a "grass-fed" label doesn't mean the animal necessarily ate grass its entire life. Some grass-fed cattle are "grain-finished," which means they ate grains from a feedlot prior to slaughter. Check the fine print on the label for this important distinction.

FRESH

The "fresh" label can only be used on food that is raw, has never been frozen or heated, and contains no preservatives. However, "fresh" foods can be irradiated.

FAIR TRADE

The "fair trade" label means that farmers and workers in developing countries have received a fair wage and have had decent working conditions while growing/packaging the product.

HERITAGE

A "heritage" label describes a rare or antique breed of livestock. These animals are prized for their rich taste and usually contain a higher fat content than commercial breeds.

ORGANIC

Not all "organic" products are created equal. If a product contains the "USDA Organic" seal, it means that 95 to 100 percent of its ingredients are organic. Products with 70 to 95 percent organic ingredients can still advertise "organic" ingredients on the front of the package.

All organic agricultural farms and products must meet the following guidelines (verified by a USDA-approved independent agency):

Abstain from the application of prohibited materials (including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge) for 3 years prior to certification and then continually throughout their organic license.
Prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms and irradiation.
Employ positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop rotation practices.
Provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock.
Refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in animals.
Sustain animals on 100% organic feed.
Avoid contamination during the processing of organic products.
Keep records of all operations.