This week, the nonprofit Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) announced that Safeway’s Lucerne Cage-Free, O-Organic, and Open Nature eggs have all earned its Certified Humane® designation. Adopting these standards makes the supermarket chain the first major retailer in the United States to require all of its cage-free and organic eggs to truly be produced humanely.
Back in 2008, Michael Talbott, a member of the Safeway Supplier Quality Management team, got in touch with HFAC to discuss what changes would be required to certify Safeway’s cage-free and organic eggs. Other organizations offer similar certifications, but HFAC’s is one of the most rigid in the country; its seal of approval assures consumers that certain standards have been met during production, including “that animals have ample space, shelter and gentle handling to limit stress” according to the nonprofit’s website.
The certification (which covers a range of animal products in addition to eggs) also prohibits growth hormones and antibiotics, and requires that animals are free to move and are not confined to cages, crates, or tie stalls. Says HFAC, “This means that chickens are able to flap their wings and dust bathe.” Finally, caretakers of animals must be “thoroughly trained, skilled and competent in animal husbandry and welfare, and have good working knowledge of their system and the livestock in their care.” Farmers and ranchers must comply with food-safety and environmental regulations too…
To Read the Full Article:
News.yahoo.com
News.yahoo.com
Posted: December 18, 2012 by Certified Humane
This week, the nonprofit Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) announced that Safeway’s Lucerne Cage-Free, O-Organic, and Open Nature eggs have all earned its Certified Humane® designation. Adopting these standards makes the supermarket chain the first major retailer in the United States to require all of its cage-free and organic eggs to truly be produced humanely.
Back in 2008, Michael Talbott, a member of the Safeway Supplier Quality Management team, got in touch with HFAC to discuss what changes would be required to certify Safeway’s cage-free and organic eggs. Other organizations offer similar certifications, but HFAC’s is one of the most rigid in the country; its seal of approval assures consumers that certain standards have been met during production, including “that animals have ample space, shelter and gentle handling to limit stress” according to the nonprofit’s website.
The certification (which covers a range of animal products in addition to eggs) also prohibits growth hormones and antibiotics, and requires that animals are free to move and are not confined to cages, crates, or tie stalls. Says HFAC, “This means that chickens are able to flap their wings and dust bathe.” Finally, caretakers of animals must be “thoroughly trained, skilled and competent in animal husbandry and welfare, and have good working knowledge of their system and the livestock in their care.” Farmers and ranchers must comply with food-safety and environmental regulations too…
To Read the Full Article:
News.yahoo.com
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