If a trip to the egg section in the grocery store ever left you dizzy, you’re not alone. All those cartons. All those labels. What do they all mean? It’s hard not to get lost in the weeds, let alone be duped by clever marketing.

The food label conundrum can be quite convoluted—particularly when it comes to animal products. As we unveiled with our Meat and Poultry Guide, companies will often use certain terms—i.e. natural, free range—that sound great but don’t amount to anything meaningful. Egg cartons are notorious for boasting a ton of jargon that means very little. What’s the difference between cage-free, pasture-raised, and humanely harvested?

Here, we take a look. As you’ll see, there are both wide-ranging and subtle differences in the terminology. Some stand for nothing, while others stand for good measures toward better health, animal welfare, and environmental care.

Decoding the Label: Sourcing Humane and Healthy Eggs

Most of the corporate factory egg farming industry overlooks general societal welfare. Industrial hen houses have been linked to the spread of infectious diseases, wide-spread antibiotic use, and horrific animal abuse. Therefore, choosing eggs that come from humane, clean sources is a way to support your health, as well as a more just, transparent food system.

Label: Organic

What it means: When it comes to the USDA’s seals, Certified Organic carries weight. Similar to other USDA certified organic animal products, these eggs come from hens that have been raised and fed in ways that “promote ecological balance and converse biodiversity” and omit the use of any GMO ingredients or synthetic substances, including fertilizers. This means the nutritional value of these eggs is organic by USDA standards. The USDA also mandates that the hens are uncaged, can freely roam, and have outdoors access. But there are no requirements for this “outdoor” space, so it could be bucolic and open, or it could be cramped and dark. Therefore, USDA Organic on its own is good, but not necessarily the most humane. Keep reading for what to pair with the label Organic.

The PrimaFoodie Take: Always look for certified organic eggs.

Label: Certified-Humane

What it means: Certified-Humane means that the hens live a life of dignity, fair-treatment, and care with no cramped cages in sight. The seal is given by the non-profit organization Humane Farm Animal Care, which fights for the fair treatment of farm animals. (Similar with meat and poultry, third-party certifications from non-profits are key to finding quality humane products.) To be given the certified humane approval, the farmers must prove that their hens are given ample space (a minimum of 1.5 square feet per bird in a barn); quality-of-life enrichments like perches and materials for dust bathing; access to clean housing, water, and air; access to natural light; and fed nutritious foods with no added growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. (Note: The modifier “Humane” without a third-party certification does not guarantee anything.)

The PrimaFoodie Take: Always look for certified-human eggs, ideally paired with the certified organic label.

Label: Certified Animal Welfare Approved

What it means: Another respected and highly important seal. Similar to Certified Humane, eggs that are Certified Animal Welfare Approved come from hens that are treated with care and consideration. This independent label, which is run by the non-profit, A Greener World, requires farmers to follow rigorous standards for its laying hens, which includes clean food and water, access to ample outdoor space and light, and other requirements that mirror a natural environment. The strict standards for AWA are similar to those of HFAC Certified-Humane, except A Greener World typically works with smaller companies.

The PrimaFoodie Take: Certified Animal Welfare Approved is great, ideally paired with the certified organic label.

Label: Cage-Free

What it means: This term is regulated by the USDA. In order for eggs to be deemed Cage-Free, the farmer must prove that the hens are not housed in cages, are allowed to freely roam, and have “unlimited” access to water and food. This seal is more humane than a traditional factory farm situation that houses hens in cages, which often causes their muscles to atrophy. However, the USDA does not mandate that the farmer allow the hens freedom to roam in the outdoors, nor does it stipulate how crowded the space can be. Therefore, it’s common for cage-free hens to live mostly indoors in cramped and sometimes inhumane spaces. Simply put: This is a nebulous term that leaves room for other potentially harmful treatment.

The PrimeFoodie Take: Cage-free is essential, but make sure it’s paired with the labels Certified-Humane and Organic.

Label: Free-Range

What it means: Free-Range is similar to Cage-Free in that the term is regulated by the USDA but it leaves a gulf of opportunity for inhumane treatment. To be labeled Free-Range, the USDA mandates that the hens have access to the outdoors, but nowhere does it describe what the outdoor area must be like. Must the space be expansive and grassy, or can it be cramped and on concrete? There’s no way to know unless you visit the farm. The label also doesn’t state the length of time the hens must have this access. On its own, this term doesn’t say much in support of the animal. However, if the term Free-Range accompanies the HFAC Certified Humane seal, this means that each hen has at least two-square-feet, and at least six hours of daily outdoor access (seasons or weather permitting).
The PrimeFoodie Take: The only way to ensure the chickens do live a free-range life is to see the Certified-Humane seal.

Label: Pasture and Pasture-Raised

What it means: Pasture and Pasture-Raised, two unregulated terms, generally mean that the laying hens have access to outdoor pasture where they can forage the natural grasses, peck, and live like they would in the wild. This is the ideal living scenario for a chicken. But again, this may not always be the actual case. Without a third-party certification, this term could mean that the hens are granted a tiny, dingy, dusty spot for a “pasture.” Like Free-Range, seek out this phrase in tandem with a certified humane seal. The HFAC mandates that any farmers labeling their eggs Pasture-Raised in tandem with HFAC Certified-Humane must grant at least 108-square-feet per bird and year-round access to both the outdoors and indoors.

The PrimeFoodie Take: Pasture and Pasture-Raised mean nothing on their own. Make sure these are paired with Certified Organic and Certified Humane.

Label: Conventional

What it means: Eggs in cartons that boast no welfare descriptors are conventional eggs and likely straight from a giant corporate mass-producing “farm.” We say “farm” as this is more of an egg-generating machine. In these circumstances, chickens are housed in battery cages, which are stacked cells that allow for no room to roam, graze, or see daylight. These chickens live a life of misery pumping out cheap eggs for mass consumption.
The PrimaFoodie Take: We recommend avoiding conventional eggs at all costs.

Our advice for eggs is the same for any other food: Get to know your farmers and brands. When buying from smaller purveyors at the farmers market or a local co-op, ask about the farmers’ practices and the hens’ living conditions. Inquire about the size of their flocks (smaller flocks generally mean better care and treatment for the animals.)

When purchasing from larger stores, seek out brands that have at least both the HFAC Certified-Humane and Certified Organic seals (or the Certified Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Organic) listed on the label.  

PrimaFoodie Approved Ethical Egg Brands found in Grocery Stores:

 Alexandra Family Farm Organic Eggs
Clean Food Farm Eggs
Vital Farm Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs
Pete & Gerry’s Organic Certified Humane Eggs
The Country Hen Certified Organic Humane Eggs
Happy Hens Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs