Certified Humane
THE BEST - all animal products
Animals allowed to roam free and behave naturally. Held to highest standards on animal welfare.
Pasture-Fed
THE BEST - Beef, Lamb, Goat
Animals grazed outdoors, also fed grain. Higher standards than grass-fed as animals can behave more naturally when outdoors.
Certified Organic
Not as Good as Grass-fed
Animals raised on organic feed without antibiotics or hormones. Animals may be fed grains or soybean instead of grass or their natural diet.
Cage-Free
Acceptable if no alternative
Animals may not have access to outdoors, sunshine and fresh air. May remain limited to indoors. Check if any indication on how much space for animals.
Industrially Raised
Avoid
Avoid factory farmed meat or animal products. Poor animal welfare.
Pasture-Raised
THE BEST - chickens, eggs, dairy
Animals raised on pasture their entire lives and sheltered during bad weather.
Grass-fed
Beef, Lamb, Goat
Animals fed on grass or hay, but not always outdoors. Some animals may be grass-fed but grain-finished (fed grain for a short period before slaughter).
Free-Range
Better than Cage-Free
Animals may or may not have access to outdoors. Check if any indication on how much space for animals.
No Added Hormones or Antibiotics
The most basic requirements
Hormones and antibiotics are used when animals are fed an unnatural diet and live in cramped conditions with higher risk of infections and diseases.
CAFO
Avoid
Caged Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) are unethical, unhealthy, unnatural, stressful for the animals, present highest risk of diseases, use antibiotics and added hormones.
Where to buy?
