A closer look at oranges Washing fruits and vegetables under running water can remove some pesticides, but not all. In some cases, pesticides penetrate the skin or peel of the fruit or vegetable, and appear in the flesh of the fruit that you eat. In other cases, the pesticides are systemic, which means they […]
What this claim means The “antibiotic free” claim is not allowed on the label of meat and poultry products, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The “antibiotic free” claim is allowed on dairy product labels, like a milk carton, which are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA […]
The labeling claim “vegetarian fed” means that the animals used to produce the meat, dairy, or eggs were fed a vegetarian diet with no animal products. In the absence of such a label, the Food and Drug Administration allows livestock feed to include slaughterhouse by-products, processed litter from the floor of chicken houses, and processed […]
The Global Animal Partnership (GAP) certification program is comprised of a series of step levels, each corresponding to a set of animal welfare standards. The rigor of the standards increases with higher step levels. Step 5+ is a highly meaningful label for consumers who want to support farms with improved living conditions and high welfare […]
What it means The claim suggests that animals used to produce the meat, poultry, dairy, or eggs were treated humanely from birth to slaughter, on farms that provide decent living conditions that meet the animals’ needs (e.g., cows are allowed to graze and not confined to a feedlot). However, the government agencies that oversee labeling […]
Highly Meaningful The label means that the farm where the coffee was grown qualifies as “bird friendly habitat” as defined by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. The standards promote environmental sustainability of coffee farms and protect biodiversity, with a special focus on providing shelter and food for migratory birds. Coffee farms are also required to […]
Highly Meaningful The American Grassfed label is highly meaningful and verified. It means that the animals were grass-fed throughout their entire lives (after weaning), with no grain ever. The animals had continuous access to pasture and were not raised in confinement. The standards also prohibit antibiotics, growth hormones, and the intentional feeding of GMOs. Is […]
Organic Watch USDA shrinks the list of artificial materials allowed to produce organic foods The list of artificial ingredients and processing aids that are allowed in the production of food labeled “organic” just got a little shorter. On August 3, 2016, the USDA removed tetrasodium pyrophosphate, egg white lysozyme, and the chemical processing aids […]
The Issue Synthetic Nutrients in Organic Foods Organic food should contain organic ingredients, and nutrients in organic foods shouldn’t come from artificial additives. The organic law allows some exceptions to the rule that organic foods should contain only organic ingredients: some artificial ingredients are allowed if they are deemed to be essential. The organic rule currently […]
Test results and recommendations Shrimp In the US, shrimp is the single most popular seafood item. Our shrimp report discusses common practices for raising or harvesting shrimp and its impacts on public health, workers, wildlife and the environment. We also tested shrimp for bacteria, antibiotic resistance, and drug residues and share the results in our full […]