How We Work

“The Certified Humane Program created a gold standard for animal welfare.” – USA Today

Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is the leading nonprofit certification organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals in food production from birth through slaughter. The goal of the program is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices. When you see the Certified Humane Raised and Handled^® label on a product, you can be assured that the food products have come from facilities that meet precise, objective standards for farm animal treatment. You can find Certified Humane^® products in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Peru and Chile.

The Certified Humane® label assures consumers that:

• The producer meets HFAC’s Animal Care Standards and applies them to animals, from birth through slaughter.
• Animals are never kept in cages, crates, or tie stalls. Animals must be free to do what comes naturally. For example, chickens must be able to flap their wings and dust-bathe, and pigs must have the space to move around and root.
• Animals must have ample space, shelter and gentle handling to limit stress.
• Animals must have ample fresh water and are fed a healthy diet of quality feed, without animal by-products, added antibiotics or hormones.
• Producers must comply with food safety and environmental regulations. Processors must comply with the American Meat Institute Standards (AMI), written by Dr. Temple Grandin, a member of the HFAC Scientific Committee.

HFAC’s Fact Sheets for consumers provide information about specific humane issues as they relate to farm animals covered by the Certified Humane^® program.

HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were created by a highly-respected scientific committee.

• View the Standards
• Meet HFAC’s Staff and Board
• Meet HFAC’s Scientific Committee

The 40-member Scientific Committee is comprised of animal scientists and veterinarians from the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America.

The Animal Care Standards are upheld through annual inspections conducted by scientists and veterinarians who are experts on the species they are inspecting. These are independent inspections of all farms, ranches and slaughter facilities in the program.

The benefit for consumers is that they can buy with confidence. When consumers see the Certified Humane^® label, they can be sure that meat, poultry, egg and dairy products come from animals who have not received antibiotics (one of the main reasons for antibiotic resistance in people) and that the animals are not overcrowded in confinement systems, so it is better for the animals, the environment, and the the farmers who receive a fair price for their efforts.

HFAC seeks to inspire individuals to be change-makers by asking for humane products. The Certified Humane Raised and Handled^® program helps consumers find products from farmers and ranchers who are providing humane conditions for the animals in their care.

A label “you can really trust.” – Good Housekeeping