Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 10/26/15


There are more label claims on today’s retail poultry products than any consumer can reasonably be expected to comprehend. Consequently, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) has released a video explaining what they mean and what they don’t.

The video explains terms including: raised without antibiotics, no antibiotics used, no antibiotics ever, never fed animal byproducts, raised without hormones, no added hormones, natural, organic, raised cage-free, free range, pasture raised and farm raised.

It also explains which terms are federally regulated, which are not, as well as which are marketing claims and which simply state the obvious.

“It should be noted that no artificial or added hormones are used in the production of any American poultry product. This is a requirement overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, all packages of chicken and turkey can accurately bear the label raised without hormones,” the video explained, noting that if companies do use that claim, the label must also state “federal regulation does not permit the use of hormones in poultry.”

The video also notes that in the United States, chicken and turkeys raised for meat live in cage-free environment and that all poultry are raised on farms.

The poultry packaging label video is viewable on USPOULTRY’s website.

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