“After visiting over 15% of the certified egg farms in the United States, and surveying all name-brand and private-label industry marketers, it’s obvious that a high percentage of the eggs on the market should be labeled ‘produced with organic feed’ rather than bearing the USDA-certified organic logo,” a spokesperson from The Cornucopia Institute said in a September 2010 report.
In other words, the “organic” eggs you’re buying are being called that because the chickens are fed organic feed, not because they are given access to the outdoors or even see much natural light during their lifetime. Essentially, you are paying extra for eggs that do not conform to organic standards for outdoor access. Producers are creating “minute enclosed porches, with roofs and concrete or wood flooring, and calling these structures ‘the outdoors,’” The Cornucopia Institute said.
Why should you care?
Besides the obvious markup on organic eggs from brands that fall short of meeting organic standards, studies have shown the “nutritional superiority of eggs when the birds have an opportunity to eat fresh forage, seeds, worms and insects,” according to Cornucopia. Plus, large scale producers are pushing out family farmers with unethical practices.
Who’s on the list of ethically deficient egg farmers?
Two of the biggest, according to Cornucopia, are Eggland’s Best and Horizon Organic. See the full list of ratings and determine if the price you pay for these eggs may be all in the name.
How free-range eggs may be healthier:
Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of the natural health website mercola.com, says free-range eggs may contain:
* 1/3 less cholesterol
* 1/4 less saturated fat
* 2/3 more vitamin A
* 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
* 3 times more vitamin E
* 7 times more beta carotene
What can you do?
1. Consult the Cornucopia scorecard to make sure you buy eggs from highly-rated brands that are ethically and nutritionally up to standard.
2. Always choose organic over conventional supermarket eggs. The Cornucopia Institute says: “Organic eggs, even those from industrial-scale organic producers, come from hens that were fed an organic diet, free of genetically engineered ingredients and synthetic pesticides.”
3. Go to a reputable health food store and get free-range eggs there. The term “free range” is unregulated and in no way guarantees the chickens were outdoors on a pasture. Again, check out the brand on the Cornucopia scorecard. Or, locate a free-range pasture farm through these sites: Eatwild.com or localharvest.org.
from readersdigest.com
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