As consumers become increasingly concerned with how food is produced and how farm animals are raised and treated, farmers and companies are responding with various labels and claims. Labels or claims generally aim to assure consumers that the food was produced in a better way – whether it be more humane, sustainable or healthy – but they can vary widely in how meaningful they are and in what is actually required.
The chart below is designed to help you better understand the different labels and claims you’ll find on chicken. We looked at 23 different labels you might find on a package of chicken, and what they actually require for 17 different areas that affect either animal welfare (e.g., whether the chickens can go outdoors), public health (e.g., prudent antibiotic use) and sustainability (e.g., whether the chicken feed contains genetically engineered crops).
Label | Prudent antibiotic use | Prohibits growth hormones | Prohibits animal byproducts in the diet | GMOs in feed | Prohibits synthetic pesticides/ fertilizers in feed production | Prohibits synthetic amino acids | Limit on rapid weight gain | Outdoor access | Indoor enrichment | Indoor space | Air quality | Artificial light and darkness | Catching and crating | Transport time limit | Natural v. dim light | Slaughter treatment | Slaughter line speed |
Conventional | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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American Humane Association Certified |
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Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Animal Welfare Approved |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Certified Humane |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Certified Naturally Grown |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
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Demeter Biodynamic |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | ![]() |
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Food Alliance |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Free Range | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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GAP Step 1 |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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GAP Step 2 |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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GAP Step 3 |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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GAP Step 4 |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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GAP Step 5 |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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GAP Step 5+ |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Natural or All Natural | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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No antibiotics administered | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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USDA Organic |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
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Vegetarian Fed or No Animal By-Products | ![]() |
Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Humanely Raised | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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No growth hormones | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Kosher | ![]() |
Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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USDA Process Verified – Never Ever 3 |
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Yes | Yes | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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USDA Process Verified – Humanely Raised (National Chicken Council Welfare Standards) |
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Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Non-GMO Project Verified |
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Yes | No | ![]() |
No | No | ![]() |
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Label | Prudent antibiotic use | Prohibits growth hormones | Prohibits animal byproducts in the diet | GMOs in feed | Prohibits synthetic pesticides/ fertilizers in feed production | Prohibits synthetic amino acids | Limit on rapid weight gain | Outdoor access | Indoor enrichment | Indoor space | Air quality | Artificial light and darkness | Catching and crating | Transport time limit | Natural v. dim light | Slaughter treatment | Slaughter line speed |