Egg Labels Explained (your egg buying guide)!

From breakfast to baking, we go through a lot of eggs in our house. And if you've ever stood in the egg section at the grocery store, you've probably noticed that there are a lot of options.

A lot of options and a lot of labels. Cage-free. Free-range. Organic. Pasture-raised. So...what do all those egg labels actually mean?

If you've ever felt confused standing in front of the egg case, you're not alone.

I used to think buying organic eggs was all I needed to think about. But as I've learned more about food labels and animal welfare, I've realized that different labels mean different things.

Some tell us about the hen's feed, some tell us about how she was raised, and some are just marketing language (and can make us more confused).

How Do Hens Naturally Live?

Before getting into labels, let's start with how a hen should live.

Hens naturally feed on green plants, seeds, and insects found outdoors in nature. They are naturally curious foragers. When given the opportunity, they will scratch, peck, perch, and dustbathe.

Of course, sadly, not every hen has the same living environment.

Some hens live entirely indoors and in cages. Some live indoors but aren't confined to individual cages. Some have outdoor access. And some spend much of their time on pasture (as nature intended).

The labels on egg cartons are meant to give us some information, but there can be nuances, and they can still leave us asking, "What does this actually mean?"

What Do The Different Egg Labels Mean?

All the labels on eggs can be very confusing. Here I break down what the most commen egg labels mean so that you can make an informed decision on which one you choose to purchase.

Here is a quick visual with additional details below!

Cage-Free

Cage-free means hens aren't kept in individual cages.

• Cage-free hens must be able to move vertically and horizontally within their indoor housing.
• They must also have access to fresh food and water, along with things such as perches, nests and litter.

This does not mean hens have access to the outdoors, or have unlimited space to move around. It simply means they are not in a cage.

Free-Range

Free-range means hens have access to the outdoors.

• Free-range hens must be able to move around indoors, have unlimited access to food and water and access to the outdoors during their egg laying cycle.
• The outdoor area can be fenced or covered and doesn't mean they are spending most of their time outdoors.

The amount and quality of outdoor access can vary greatly. And doesn't necessarily mean they have access to pasture.

Organic

USDA Certified Organic Eggs must come from hens raised according to USDA organic standards.

• This means they are fed organic feed, cannot be given antibiotics, and must have access to the outdoors.

Again, just because they have "access" to the outdoors, does not mean they are spending the majority of their time outdoors.

Pasture-Raised

Pasture-raised hens have access to pasture where they can engage in more natural behaviors.

• With this, you know the hens have access to pasture, but the exact conditions and how much they are actually grazing on pastures can vary.

To truly understand the amount they are out on pasture, look for a third-party animal-welfare certification such as Certified Humane®.

The Certified Humane Seal

For the Certified Humane Pasture-Raised designation, the standards require:

• At least 108 square feet of outdoor space per hen.
• Hens to have access to the outdoors year-round.
• Outdoor access for at least 6 hours per day, except during inclement weather, veterinary care, or emergencies.
• Rotating the hens through different areas of pasture.
• Housing where hens can go for protection from predators and severe weather.

I personally like seeing "pasture-raised" the Certified Humane seal, and the USDA organic label. This gives me confidence that the hens had considerable access to pasture, the farm met specific animal-welfare standards, no antibiotics were used, and the hens were fed organic feed. In my opinion, this is the gold standard of eggs.

Note: Eggs can be "certified humane" and NOT be pasture-raised, as the Certified Humane seal also certifies cage-free and free-range. That is why I look for BOTH.

Egg Labels FAQs

A Final Note On Buying Eggs

Lucky for me, I have access to farm fresh eggs through a local farmer. But I know that isn't the case for everyone.

And when I run out of farm-fresh eggs, I do buy them from the store. And that's okay!

You don't have to raise your own chickens, get your eggs exclusively from a local farmer, or spend a fortune on every item in your grocery cart to make more informed food choices.

Sometimes it's simply about knowing what those words on the package mean and then deciding what matters most to you!

If you're interested in learning how to make more informed choices throughout the grocery store, check out my Clean Eating Shopping List.

And when you've got your eggs home, put them to good use in my Dairy-Free Vegetable Frittata, Dairy-free Breakfast Casserole, or Sweet Potato Crust Quiche.

Eat Clean.Be Well!
-Sara