Free range is a method of traditional food production where animals at farms can spend time outdoors, at least when the weather allows. It is opposed to modern methods of factory production of meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, etc. where animals are in closed overcrowded barns or cages.
What is free range food?
Updated October 22, 2018. Free range refers to food from animals, for example, meat or eggs, that are produced from animals that have access to outdoor spaces. Usually, free range also stands for animals who have free access to graze or forage for food.
Are free-range chickens really free range?
These chickens can then legally be labeled "free-range" even though their habitat is far from what anyone would consider all that free.
What does'free range'mean?
Jennifer Chait is a former writer for The Balance Small Business who covered organic businesses. She runs a family-oriented blog on green living. The term "free range" refers to food from animals that have access to outdoor spaces. It can also refer to animals who have free access to graze or forage for food.
What are free range eggs?
Free range is all about freedom and it is a term that has become increasingly familiar in food and farming. Free range eggs are now well established and account for around half of all the eggs sold in the UK. The reason for this is we all value freedom and most want to make more ethical choices when buying food.
What is free range produce?
The USDA's (and industry standard) definition for “Free Range” is that birds must have “outdoor access” or “access to the outdoors.” In some cases, this can mean access only through a “pop hole,” with no full-body access to the outdoors and no minimum space requirement.
What foods can be free range?
The term 'free range' is legally defined for two foods – eggs and poultry meat. Therefore, only these two types of food can be called 'free range' and only where they meet the requirements set out for use of this term in the relevant legislation.
What is the USDA definition of free range?
“Free-range” or “pasture-fed” eggs are produced by hens raised outdoors or with access to outdoors. In addition to the feed provided, these hens may also eat wild plants and insects.
Is free range defined by the FDA?
The FDA requires that food labels be truthful and not misleading, but the FDA has no regulatory definition of “free range” on egg carton labels. Egg producers can choose to have their eggs graded, or inspected for quality by USDA inspectors.
Does free-range mean organic?
In addition, while all organically raised food is automatically free range (certified organic standards require this), all food raised free range is not necessarily organic. Synonyms for free range include free roaming, cage free, and pasture raised.
Whats the difference between organic and free-range?
As opposed to standard free range farms where anything goes feed-wise, organic farms must stick to synthetic chemical-free feeds. To be officially recognised as an organic farm, hens must only eat pure, organic feed and no nasty animal by-products like egg shells and ground bones.
What is another word for free-range?
What is another word for free-range?freeuncagedlooseunrestrictedunconfinedat largeat libertyunboundunrestrainedunshackled21 more rows
What are the advantages and disadvantages of free-range farming?
What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Range Eggs?AdvantagesDisadvantagesBetter bone strength because of greater movement and activity.A greater occurrence of manure-borne diseases and parasites.Increased need for antibiotics to treat sick hens.3 more rows
Does organic chicken mean free-range?
Not all free range chicken is organic (chickens could be raised with access to the outdoors but not under any of the other criteria needed to be certified organic), but all organic chicken is free range (in order to receive organic certification, chickens must have access to the outdoors, among other criteria).
What's the difference between free-range and organic eggs?
Organic farms certified by the Soil Association have to provide more pop holes (exits from the hen house) than 'free-range' farms do, to encourage chickens to get out onto their range as much as possible.
Which eggs are actually free-range?
Free-range, another USDA term, means that the eggs come from hens that have some sort of access to the outdoors. However, it doesn't mean that the hens actually go outdoors, or that the outdoor space is more than a small, fenced-in area; it simply implies that a door exists that a farmer could at some point open.
What is the difference between free-range and pasture raised?
Hens that produce free-range eggs have some form of access to outside spaces, though the specifics depend on the certification program. Hens that lay pasture-raised eggs have regular access to vegetation-covered outside space, but again, the specifics will depend on the certification program.
What do free ranging chickens eat?
True free-range chickens are those that range outdoors on pasture. Meaning they do what all chickens do naturally: eat bugs, greens, and whatever leftovers they can scrounge or scratch up.
Is all milk free range?
Herding the Facts – Why We Shouldn't Assume All Our Dairy Is Free Range. According to Free Range Dairy organisation, 15-20% of dairy cows spend their entire time confined to the indoors. The rest are on farms that graze their herds daily during the warmer months.
What should you not feed chickens?
Hens should never be fed food scraps that contain anything high in fat or salt, and do not feed them food that is rancid or spoiled. Specific types of food that hens should not be fed include raw potato, avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, citrus fruits, uncooked rice or uncooked beans [2].
What foods are safe for chickens?
Lettuce, kale, turnip greens and chard are great greens options. Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries make healthy snacks for chickens when fed in moderation. A few flock favorites include: Vegetables: Lettuce, beets, broccoli, carrots, kale, swiss chard, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers.
What does "free range" mean in the food industry?
Jennifer Chait. Updated November 06, 2019. The term "free range" refers to food from animals that have access to outdoor spaces. It can also refer to animals who have free access to graze or forage for food.
What is free range chicken?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has defined the term "free range" only for chickens, not for eggs or for other livestock, such as ca ttle. For chickens to be free range, the birds must be "allowed access to the outside," according to the USDA. In practice, this can mean the chickens live most ...
How many hours do chickens spend outdoors?
If poultry is certified free range as part of the Humane Farm Animal Care's (HFAC) Certified Humane program, it means the chickens spend at least six hours a day outdoors (weather permitting) and have pens with at least two square feet per bird.
Why is the free range label meaningless?
Because the USDA rules for free-range products don't apply to other animals, or even to eggs, the free-range label on those goods is legally meaningless—producers can use the label in any way they want. Again, it can mean the animals spent most of their lives in wide, outdoor spaces, or it can mean they occasionally got a glimpse ...
Is organic certification a loophole?
While it's true there are loopholes even in organic regulations, at least organic certification provides a more clear definition for a frequently misused term. At the very least, pursuing HFAC certification shows adherence to a specific definition of free range.
Is free range organic?
In addition, while all organically raised food is automatically free range (certified organic standards require this), all food raised free range is not necessarily organic .
Can you buy organic free range chicken?
Consumers who want truly free-range foods should consider buying certified organic products, since unlike the USDA's definition and enforcement of the term "free range," certified organic products must meet stringent criteria . For example, a farm falsely claiming free-range status for its chickens will not likely get into trouble, but a farm falsely claiming organic certification will be faced with major penalties and fines.
What Is Free-Range Chicken?
"Free-range" is a term that refers to a method of animal husbandry where animals are able to roam freely outdoors rather than being confined by an enclosure for 24 hours a day. The USDA says "free-range" or "free-roaming" chicken must be "allowed access to the outside,"* but that can be interpreted in many different ways. Larger producers, unfortunately, have been known to follow only the letter of the law, not its spirit, and put open windows or small doors that lead to paved patches of the ground at the ends of large, crowded hen houses that are from anyone's idyllic notion of farm life or the best possible life for a chicken. These chickens can then legally be labeled "free-range" even though their habitat is far from what anyone would consider all that free.
Do farmers give free range chickens?
Importantly, there are many farmers who do, in fact, give lots of free-range to their free-range chickens, whose chickens have real, meaningful access to the outdoors, and are even free to roam (usually within large, moveable enclosures) on real fields and actual pastures, hunting and pecking for extra food along the way. Many farmers even use hay bales or old farm equipment to create environments for the chickens to explore and exhibit natural behavior such as roosting and climbing.
Can chickens be free range?
The USDA says "free-range" or "free-roaming" chicken must be "allowed access to the outside,"* but that can be interpreted in many different ways. Larger producers, unfortunately, have been known to follow only the letter of the law, not its spirit, and put open windows or small doors that lead to paved patches of the ground at the ends of large, ...
Is free range chicken cage free?
If nothing else, free-range chickens are, at least, kept cage-free. So the label isn't meaningless, it can just be a bit misleading if you're imaging chickens roaming through pastures or bopping around the barnyard to their own tune.
What does "free range" mean?
What Does Free Range Really Mean? 1 On-farm inspection is not required 2 There is no common standard that producers have to meet for eggs and dairy 3 A “free range” claim does not mean that the chickens were able to range freely outdoors
Why is free range misleading?
Lows. “Free range” is one of the most potentially misleading labels because of the discrepancy between what it implies and what is required to make the claim. The “free range” claim on a label suggests that the animals were able to range freely outdoors; however, the claim does not have to be verified through on-farm inspections, ...
What does it mean when a beef label says "free access to the outdoors"?
On labels of beef products: The labeling claim means that the animals were given free access to the outdoors for a minimum of 120 days per year. There are no space requirements, and no requirements for the condition of the outdoor space. The claim does not mean that the animals only grazed on range.
Does the USDA have a free range label?
On meat and poultry labels, the USDA does not have a common standard for producers making a “free range” claim. Producers making a “free range” labeling claim are required to add an explanation of the term on the label, but the USDA allows producers to write the explanation and therefore define the term. In our 2016 survey, when consumers were told ...
Do chickens come from free range?
Chicken and eggs labeled “free range” therefore do not necessarily come from birds that ranged freely outdoors.
Can you buy meat from a free range?
Consumers wanting to buy meat, poultry, or eggs from animals that range freely outdoors should not rely on the “free range” labeling claim alone. Those consumers should look for additional labels that indicate that meaningful standards for outdoor access were met.
Why is free range important?
The reason for this is we all value freedom and most want to make more ethical choices when buying food.
Why are free range hens shut in at night?
Free range hens are usually shut in at night to protect them from predators and their natural instinct is to roost. Although on some farms free range hens may eat some grass and other plants their diet is largely based on cereals fed inside. The maximum flock size under British Lion egg standards is 16,000 hens.
Is free range dairy legal in the EU?
Unlike hens, there are no EU laws governing free range dairy farming. So, Free Range Dairy has established a simple set of standards for producers, to provide consumers with a clear assurance that they are buying milk from cows that enjoy the freedom to graze.
How animals are raised for food
Industrial animal agriculture has progressed drastically over the last 100 years – strives to maximize profits while minimizing costs, at the animals’ expense. Read the details of how the chickens for meat and eggs are raised for 99% of them in US. Animal cruelty is the price we pay for cheap meat. How can we be ok with it and that selfish?
Deceitful marketing by corporate giants
To hide the cruelty, the poultry industry employs clever marketing convincing consumers that the animal products you are purchasing are somehow better than your standard ones.
What can we do?
With a little knowledge, consumers can have an impact on the farming industry. If we demand meat and eggs less, we could force the industry to change its practices. We must take a baby step for changes.
What are the requirements for free range chicken?
Free-range poultry must meet legal requirements. The RSPCA states that chickens must have a defined amount of space (no more than 13 birds a square metre), be 56 days old before they are slaughtered and have continuous daytime access to open-air runs, with vegetation, for at least half their lifetime. There are no such regulations for pork, but CIWF recommends that free-range should mean “pigs who are born and reared in outdoor systems throughout their lives, with permanent access to pasture”, and gives its highest marks to pig meat with Scottish Organic Producers Association or RSPCA Assured labels. As most cows and sheep are reared outdoors for part of the year anyway, they suggest looking for a “grass-fed” label and Soil Association organic meat.
Is pork free range?
There are no such regulations for pork, but CIWF recommends that free-range should mean “pigs who are born and reared in outdoor systems throughout their lives, with permanent access to pasture”, and gives its highest marks to pig meat with Scottish Organic Producers Association or RSPCA Assured labels.
What is free range animal?
Most “free-range” animals are still mutilated and forced to endure long trips to slaughterhouses without any food or water. Moreover, they all have their lives violently cut short and are denied the opportunity to engage in anything that is natural and important to them. ‘Free-Range’. Companies want consumers to believe ...
Is free range organic?
As people become more aware of the horrors of factory farming, companies are responding by labeling their products “all-natural,” “free-range,” “free-roaming,” or “organic.” But these labels are misleading. Most “free-range” animals are still mutilated and forced to endure long trips to slaughterhouses without any food or water. Moreover, they all have their lives violently cut short and are denied the opportunity to engage in anything that is natural and important to them.
Is egg carton organic?
Labels—other than “organic”—on egg cartons are not subject to any government regulations, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not regulate “free-range” or “free-roaming” claims for beef products. 1. The USDA requires that “free-range” animals have access to outdoor areas, but there is no provision for how much time they must be ...
Can pork products be tagged with hormones?
Because hormones are not supposed to be given to pigs or chickens, pork and poultry products cannot legally be tagged with this label without the disclaimer “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.” 14.
Do free range chickens have to be outside?
The USDA requires that “free-range” animals have access to outdoor areas, but there is no provision for how much time they must be allowed to spend outside or how much room they must be provided with to do so. USDA’s regulations only require the birds have “been allowed access to the outside.” 2 Even if a farmer opened the door to a coop with thousands of birds inside and then closed it before any chickens went outside, he would still be able to use the “free-range” label. 3
Free-Range Chicken Legal Terminology
The Certified Humane Program
- There is one organization certifying farms for free-range chicken. If poultry is certified free range as part of the Humane Farm Animal Care's (HFAC) Certified Humane program, it means the chickens spend at least six hours a day outdoors (weather permitting) and have pens with at least two square feet per bird. The Certified Humane program covers a variety of issues beyond free-r…
Free-Range Organic Foods
- Consumers who want truly free-range foods should consider buying certified organic products, since unlike the USDA's definition and enforcement of the term "free range," certified organic products must meet stringent criteria. For example, a farm falsely claiming free-range status for its chickens will not likely get into trouble, but a farm falsely claiming organic certification will be fac…
What This Claim Means
Why It Matters
- For chickens used in the production of poultry and eggs, outdoor runs and pasture offer them the opportunity to forage, which is an important natural behavior. When given the opportunity, chickens will spend a majority of their active time foraging, which consists of pecking, scratching, harvesting seeds, and eating insects. When chickens are unable to engage in natural foraging b…
How Meaningful Is The Label?
- On meat and poultry labels, the USDA does not have a common standard for producers making a “free range” claim. Producers making a “free range” labeling claim are required to add an explanation of the term on the label, but the USDA allows producers to write the explanation and therefore define the term. In our 2016 survey, when consumers were told...
Is The Claim verified?
- Sometimes. Eggs. Labels on egg cartons are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and do not need prior approval by the agency. The FDA requires that food labels be truthful and not misleading, but the FDA has no regulatory definition of “free range” on egg carton labels. Egg producers can choose to have their eggs graded, or inspected for quality by USDA inspecto…
What Additional Information Tells You The Claim Has Been verified?
- For beef, chicken and eggs from animals that were able to range freely outdoors, look for these labels: American Grassfed The American Grassfed label 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 label is highly meaningful and verifie…