Certified Humane Eggs Now Available Nationally

Four producers of natural and organic eggs have been approved to use the “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” label by Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the non-profit organization that certifies the humane treatment of animals raised by meat, poultry, egg or dairy producers.

The newly certified producers include:

 

  • Farmers Organic Foods International, a Wisconsin-based company that produces organic fresh cage-free, and pastured poultry-raised eggs, liquid/frozen or fresh liquid egg products and dry egg products www.farmersorganicfoods.com, and
  • Giving Nature Foods, an organic and cage-free egg producer in Lancaster County, Pa. www.givingnaturefoods.com, and
  • Phil’s Fresh Eggs, a producer of cage-free, naturally fed eggs based in Forreston, Illinois www.philsfresheggs.com, and
  • Nest Fresh Eggs, a Denver-based producer of organic, cage-free eggs www.nestfresh.com.

The certification of these new companies significantly expands availability of “Certified Humane” eggs to consumers.  Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs and Nellie’s Nest Eggs of New Hampshire gained “Certified Humane” status in 2003.

“Now, consumers can buy Certified Humane eggs almost anywhere in the country,” said HFAC Executive Director, Adele Douglass.

Unveiled in May 2003 and now being used by 35 companies, the Certified Humane label assures consumers that a meat, poultry, egg or dairy product has been produced in compliance with HFAC’s precise standards for humane farm animal treatment. Animals must receive a nutritious diet free of antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space that are sufficient to support natural behavior.

All producers authorized to use the “Certified Humane” label must meet HFAC’s Animal Care Standards, which were developed by a veritable “Who’s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts.  Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site inspections by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.

HFAC is the first and only animal-welfare product certification organization in the U.S. to meet the stringent requirements of the USDA ISO Guide 65 Assessment progam, which evaluates organizations operating third-party product certification systems.

HFAC is a national nonprofit organization supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), regional and local animal protection organizations, foundations and individuals. More information can be found at HFAC’s website, www.certifiedhumane.org.

News from Humane Farm Animal Care
P.O. Box 727, Herndon, Virginia 20172 – (703) 435-3883
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michele Wells, Humane Farm Animal Care – (303) 417-0696