[scottishlass]

If you’ve ever stood in the supermarket wondering if paying more for chicken that is free-range, antibiotic-free, no hormones added, farm-raised, natural, and organic, makes you a better person, you are not alone.

Recently, as I was doubting myself on my chicken choices I decided to get to the bottom of what all of this really means. It’s not at all what I thought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a cabinet-level agency that oversees the regulation of food-grade chicken and is responsible for the claims on packaging and labels. And despite all of the hype and fluff, there is only one label (“organic”) that guarantees specific standards and for which you might consider paying more.

Briefly here is what all of it means–or doesn’t mean–according to the USDA.



Free-Range. There is no specific definition for free-range. For sure it does not mean “running free to forage for grubs and grain on acres of rolling green pastureland.” The USDA generally allows this term if chickens have access to the outdoors for “at least part of the day,” which could mean a matter of a few minutes, whether that chicken chooses to go outdoors or not. A single open door at one end of a huge chicken warehouse meets this definition of free-range. Even so, fewer than 1 percent of chickens nationwide are raised as “free range.”

Cage-Free. This means not housed in cages. It does not mean roaming happily in large open areas. Cage-free can mean crammed together in an indoor henhouse and given very little room to breath or be their chicken selves.

Natural. Under USDA regulations, a “natural” product has no artificial ingredients or chemical preservatives. Most ready-to-cook chicken can be labeled “natural,” if processors choose to do so.

No hormones added. This label is meaningless because federal regulations prohibit use of hormones in chicken. Period. Any cut or brand of chicken can be labeled “raised without hormones.” However, if the processor chooses to say that on the label, it must also clearly state that no hormones are used in the production of any poultry allowed for consumption in the U.S.

Antibiotic-free or Raised without Antibiotics. This means that the flock was raised without the use of products classified as antibiotics for animal health maintenance, disease prevention or treatment of disease. But why mentioned this on the label? All processed chickens in the US must be “antibiotic-free” in the sense that no antibiotic residues are allowed to be present in the meat.

Made in the USA. Nearly all chickens and chicken products sold in the US come from chickens hatched, raised and processed in the US. The only exception is a small amount imported from Canada, which has food safety and quality standards equal to our own.

Organic. The USDA has a very specific rule to define “organic” production and prohibits the use of the term “organic” on packaging of any food product not produced in accordance with its rule. Organic chicken means that 100 percent of the chicken’s feed was grown without chemical fertilizers, herbicides and other genetically-modified organisms for at least three years. According to USDA, the organic label does not indicate that the product has safety, quality or nutritional attributes that are any higher than conventionally raised chicken.

Question: Are you willing to pay more for chicken labeled “organic,” now that you know what it means?

 

[jeannietta]

I solved this problem for myself and gave up all animal products. I feel a thousand percent better for it!

 

[Kansas g-ma]

GOOD JOB! Wish you had added info on the salt water used to process chicken and other meats-- and none of the terms indicate that, with the possible exception of "guaranteed tender" which wasn't on your radar. If you are trying to cut sodium, you need to read the nutrition label on all meats because processors inject salt water (or "broth") into the meat and you are paying meat prices for salt water. With good cooking skills, you NEVER need the added salt water. PLASE read labels and know what you are getting.

 

[BeadsbyBeadz]

Please read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/business/chinese-chicken-processors-are-cleared-to-ship-to-us.html?_r=0 Since the deaths of many pets with chicken and other jerky treats prepared in China, this was of even more interest since it's 'human food.' Also, please note that there will be no labeling stating that the American chickens have been processed in China as it's not required nor is a USDA inspector to be on site. The label will state it is American chicken. I spoke to the butcher at one of our local grocery markets and he recommended buying Perdue brand as it is much smaller operation and will do 'within America' processing whereas the other larger brand would be more apt to participate in this operation.

 

[Beve]

Thanks, this was very helpful!

 

[msgran]

And now, some of the poultry raised in the US are being slaughtered, processed, frozen, shipped to CHINA, to be flavored and cooked, refrozen, and shipped back to the US to be sold. USDA has no oversight as to the standards China uses to handle the chicken. And will the label on the package tell that it was sent to China for additional processing or will it still say grown in the US?

 

[BeadsbyBeadz]

And now, some of the poultry raised in the US are being slaughtered, processed, frozen, shipped to CHINA, to be flavored and cooked, refrozen, and shipped back to the US to be sold. USDA has no oversight as to the standards China uses to handle the chicken. And will the label on the package tell that it was sent to China for additional processing or will it still say grown in the US?

It will say it is American chicken and no mention of location of processing per what I've read and seen on news programs. Please see my former post (about two or three up from this one).

 

[KatStabe]

The best option is to know your farmer and his/her practices and buy direct. I get all of my meat, eggs and milk this way.
Any reputable farmer will let you visit the farm and will answer any question you have about their practices and what the animals eat etc.

 

[dijewe]

The best option is to know your farmer and his/her practices and buy direct. I get all of my meat, eggs and milk this way.
Any reputable farmer will let you visit the farm and will answer any question you have about their practices and what the animals eat etc.

How I wish. It has taken me years to get used to the food in the USA after immigrating from South Africa. I lived in a village about 30 miles outside of johannesburg . All my dairy and poultry came from local farmers and vegetables came from my own vegetable garden.

The food in the USA had a chemical aftertaste. I shop mostly at natural food markets . They cost more but it just means I buy less junk so not a problem in the grander scheme of things.

 

[run4fittness]

interesting, thanks.

 

[wendyheather]

I solved this problem for myself and gave up all animal products. I feel a thousand percent better for it!

Me too! :-D :-D :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[rash236]

The more I know about the food I eat, the less I want to eat it.

 

[headlemk]

Chicken in Mexico is juicier, larger and much much tastier than the chicken in the US. They don't pump their chickens full of hormones.

 

[NYBev]

I don't buy chicken that is already cooked, etc. , but I would like
to know which companies will be selling this chicken?