When it comes to your morning egg, you can choose from a number of options. There's free range, pasture raised, organic, and cage-free to name a few.
Each label has its own nuances, but which one is right for you? Cost, nutrition, animal treatment, and environmental impact play a role.
Natural and Unprocessed
Eggs have long been a breakfast staple because they are budget-friendly, filling, and packed with nearly every nutrient our bodies crave. From vitamin A and D to omega-3 fatty acids, eggs are versatile superfoods that provide protein and energy for the body.
But when it comes to choosing an egg at the grocery store, consumers may struggle to understand the nuances of different labeling. Whether you want to purchase organic, free range, cage-free, or even vitamin-enhanced eggs, consumers must make decisions about what their priorities are when selecting an egg carton.
In addition, many consumers will gravitate towards a particular egg product due to the treatment of the hens. For example, egg producers often add the label “animal welfare approved” to their egg cartons. This means that the chickens are not given any antibiotics or growth hormones, and they also have access to an outdoor area.
However, a recent outbreak of Salmonella poisoning in the southeast and northwest regions of England showed that even eggs produced by the most humanely treated hens may pose a risk to consumers. Salmonella can survive on a surface for 1-4 hours, and can be ingested through contaminated hands or fecal contamination. Therefore, if you are choosing to buy eggs that have this labeling, it is important to read the fine print.
Authentic Taste Experience
The hens that lay free-range eggs live in family farms and spend their days outside. The hens roam and forage in fields, and they go inside a large barn at night. The hens are raised as naturally as possible, meaning the eggs they produce contain less cholesterol and saturated fat.
The egg cartons at your local grocery store are packed with all sorts of information: Large and extra-large, white and brown, organic, enriched with omega-3, cage-free, and more. But it can be challenging to make sense of the different labeling. Some terms, like free-range and pasture-raised, refer to the amount of space that hens are allowed to move around within their indoor barn or aviary. Others, like Humane Farm Animal Care, require more specific guidelines to be considered humane.
We recommend looking for the Humane Farm Animal Care seal or the USDA Certified Humane seal on your egg cartons. These labels are regulated by third-party organizations and give you a clear idea of how humane the eggs are, including how much space the chickens get. The HFAC and USDA also have lists of approved egg producers, which can be helpful in determining quality eggs. For example, both Nellie’s eggs and Pete and Gerry’s offer certified humane eggs, as do Vital Farms, Family Homestead, Oliver’s Organic, and Happy Egg Co.
A Healthy Alternative
If eggs aren't an option due to dietary restrictions or financial constraints, there's another delicious and nutritious alternative: turmeric. This plant-based ingredient has the ability to mimic the colour and texture of eggs, and a small amount of powdered turmeric can be used in place of an egg when cooking.
Those with a soft spot for animal welfare might also prefer to purchase eggs labeled as cage-free or Certified Humane. However, if you want to go above and beyond, look for free-range or American Humane Certified eggs, which require the chickens to have access to a large outdoor run.
Hens that enjoy a spacious outdoors have been shown to produce eggs with up to a third less cholesterol. As well, these eggs are naturally rich in vitamin D, which can help maintain strong bones and teeth, support healthy immune function, regulate insulin levels, and improve mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if your produce is organic?
These labels will help you ensure that organic produce is purchased.
USDA Organic Certified – This certification is issued by USDA to ensure that the product is 100% organic.
Certified Naturally Grown: Produce that has been grown in accordance with organic practices, but has yet to receive certification from USDA.
Pastured/Free range - These are animals that live outside and graze freely on grasses and herbs.
These labels signify that the product meets a specific set of criteria.
- No synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
- No genetically modified organisms
- No antibiotics are ever given to the animal
- Animals never receive hormones
- No growth-promoting drug
- No feed additives
- No artificial ingredients
- No irradiation
- No sewage effluent
- GMOs are not allowed
- There have never been any antibiotics given.
- No hormones ever given
- No growth-promoting drugs
- No feed-additives
- No artificial ingredients
- No sewage effluent (if it isn't a GMO).
- No irradiation
I hope that this article was useful!
What are organic fruits and vegetables?
Organic foods do not use pesticides, artificial fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics. Organic foods contain more nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, as well as omega-3 fatty oils. These healthy ingredients make organic food better for our bodies and the planet.
Organic foods are grown using sustainable farming practices that preserve soil quality and encourage biological diversity. They are free of toxic chemicals, irradiation and sewage effluent.
Organics are often associated with produce. However, organic products can include dairy, meat, poultry and eggs as well as personal care items and pet food.
The USDA defines "organic" as that crops being raised according to strict rules set forth by federal government standards. This means that farmers can't use non-organic methods of growing these foods. However, they can use approved organic pest control methods like crop rotation and covering cropping or animal feed made with organic materials.
The farmer must also follow the guidelines for how much fertilizer and insecticide he uses throughout the growing season. He must also rotate his fields among different crops. GMOs, artificial growth hormones, synthetic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are not allowed in the fields of farmers.
The requirements for organic fruits and vegetables are met if they are labeled 100 percent organic. But some farms do not label their products as 100% organic because it would confuse consumers. Instead, they will label their product as "made with organic ingredients. "
What are some organic skin products?
Organic skincare products contain no synthetic chemicals, including parabens. Phthalates, mineral oil. Petroleum jelly. Propylene glycol. sodium lauryl.sulphate. Talc. triclosan. Titanium dioxide. triethanolamine. vitamin A palmitate.
Organic skincare products are also free of artificial colours, fragrances, preservatives, emulsifiers, GMOs, petrochemicals, animal testing (except cosmetics tested on animals), pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
They can also be used to maintain healthy skin, protect against premature aging, promote healing from injuries, and improve overall well-being.
These are some terms that you might see when looking for organic products
- Paraben Free – These chemicals are used to preserve certain cosmetic products, but can cause serious health problems if taken in large amounts.
- Fragrance-Free means that the product doesn't contain any essential oils or fragrances.
- Cruelty-Free - No animals were harmed during the manufacturing process.
- Natural Ingredients – The ingredient is naturally derived either from a plant or an animal.
- Vegetarian/Vegetarian - All ingredients are vegan or vegetarian.
- Gluten-Free - This means that gluten has been removed from the formulation.
- Non-Toxic-The product doesn't contain any toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and/or other harmful substances that could be harmful to your health.
- Biodegradable - the product will break down into harmless components when discarded.
- Pesticide-Free - No pesticides have been used in the growing and harvesting process.
- GMO-Free: This means that no product ingredient contains genetically engineered organisms.
- Certified Organic means all ingredients were grown in ways that preserve the soil, water and air.
What's the difference between organic foods and inorganic food?
Organic food is produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, or genetic modification. Organic farming practices are good for soil health, water quality, animal welfare, and the environment.
Inorganic foods are produced using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage effluent. Radiated foods can be treated with radiation. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are created by biological engineering techniques.
"Organic" and "natural" are often interchangeable. Natural does not necessarily have to mean organic. Some products labeled "natural" may also contain synthetic ingredients.
Organic produce is typically more nutritious than conventional produce because the soil contains fewer harmful chemicals and pesticides. Organic farmers don't use any artificial fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics.
Statistics
- When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)
- According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
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- Occupational Pesticide Exposures and the Cancer Risk: A Review. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part. B. Vol 15, Issue 4.
- Genetically modified food safety and public concerns: a review by Journal of Food Science and Technology
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- EWG's 2022 Guide for Shoppers to Pesticides on Produce
- Clean Fifteen(tm). Conventional Produce with the Least Pesticides
How To
Five Reasons to Purchase Organic Products
Organic foods are organically grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They contain no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or irradiated ingredients. Their production does not use sewage sludge and industrial solvents. During the course of its growth cycle, the natural environment of the food is protected from contamination. It is free of artificial preservatives and additives. It does not contain hormones or antibiotics. They are also produced in conditions that preserve their nutritional value and freshness over longer periods.
- Health benefits. Nonorganic produce has more chemicals than organic. Organic produce is healthier. It's therefore less likely that it will cause allergies and other sensitivities. It also means that you consume less toxic chemicals and carcinogens.
- Eco-friendliness. Produce grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilizer requires very little water. Organic farms are located far from cities where there is a lot of pollution, because they require so much energy to grow. That helps reduce air pollution.
- Sustainability. Organic farming relies on soil fertility rather than chemical fertilizers; this results in healthier soils with higher levels of organic matter. It is better for soil health to rotate crops and allow the land to fallow regularly. When farm animals eat only grasses and grains raised without any added hormones or antibiotics, they develop strong immune systems.
- Taste. Traditional fruits and vegetables are often bland due to the fact that they are picked at peak ripeness and shipped long distances for grocery stores. Organic produce tastes richer and sweeter because it was harvested while still unripe.
- Nutrition. GMOs and BPA are common in processed foods. These harmful substances can be avoided by sticking to whole foods like meat, eggs, fish and nuts as well as seeds, beans, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Resources:
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