Claire Thompson
Chicken labels can be confusing, and it's often hard to tell what certain terms actually mean. One such term is free of any artificial ingredients, which is used to describe 'natural' chicken. In the US, the USDA defines 'natural' and 'all-natural' chicken as a food product that has been 'minimally processed' and contains 'no preservatives or artificial ingredients'. This means that the chicken has had no artificial ingredients or added colour, and has been processed in a way that does not fundamentally alter it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| "Free of any artificial ingredients" | Natural |
| Definition of "Natural" | No artificial ingredients, colouring ingredients, or chemical preservatives, and is minimally processed, just enough to get it ready to be cooked |
| Other terms with similar meanings | No Antibiotics Ever (NAE), Never Ever, No Antibiotics Added, Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA), Organic, Free-Range |
| Other characteristics of "Natural" chicken | No artificial or added hormones or steroids |
| Regulations | The USDA defines "natural" and "all-natural" as a food product that has been "minimally processed and contains no preservatives or artificial ingredients" |
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What You'll Learn
- 'Natural' chicken means no artificial ingredients, colours or preservatives, but it's an unregulated term
- 'No Antibiotics Ever' or 'Raised Without Antibiotics' means the chicken has never received antibiotics
- 'No Hormones or Steroids' is a label that can be used as the USDA banned these in poultry in the 1950s
- 'Organic' chicken must be free-range, fed non-GMO feed and not given antibiotics, but it may be vaccinated
- 'Free-range' chickens have access to the outdoors, but there is no precise federal government definition of this term
'Natural' chicken means no artificial ingredients, colours or preservatives, but it's an unregulated term
When it comes to chicken, the term "natural" is often used to describe meat that has been minimally processed and contains no preservatives, artificial ingredients or colourings. According to the USDA, a "natural" product has not been fundamentally altered by processing and contains no artificial ingredients, colouring ingredients, or chemical preservatives.
However, the term "natural" is not regulated and does not provide any details about how the chicken was raised. This means that it is a fairly meaningless term and does not necessarily indicate that the chicken is of a higher quality or nutritional value.
Despite this, the use of the term "natural" on chicken packaging can be misleading to consumers. Many people associate the term with the belief that the chickens did not receive antibiotics or consume feed containing GMOs. Some also believe that the term indicates that the chickens were raised outdoors or that it is the same as "organic".
While it is true that the USDA prohibits the use of artificial hormones in poultry production, and that any chicken can be labelled "raised without hormones", the term "natural" does not necessarily indicate this.
Therefore, while "natural chicken" may mean that the meat contains no artificial ingredients, colours, or preservatives, it is important to note that the term is unregulated and may not provide an accurate indication of the product's quality or the methods used to raise the chicken.
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'No Antibiotics Ever' or 'Raised Without Antibiotics' means the chicken has never received antibiotics
When buying chicken, consumers are often faced with a variety of labels that can be confusing and misleading. One such label claim is "No Antibiotics Ever" or "Raised Without Antibiotics", which means the chicken has never received antibiotics. This phrase can be used on poultry labels if the producer has provided the USDA with sufficient documentation that the birds have never been given antibiotics for any reason.
Chicken producers are committed to innovation and are proactively seeking alternative ways to control disease while reducing antibiotic use. This is an important issue because the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals raised for food contributes to antibiotic resistance, a global health threat. According to the National Chicken Council, medically important antibiotics should only be used on farms to treat and prevent disease, not to promote growth.
It's important to note that flocks on a no-antibiotics program may still get sick and require treatment with antibiotics. In such cases, these chickens are no longer eligible to be marketed as "No Antibiotics Ever" or "Raised Without Antibiotics". Instead, they are designated with a different label. Even if a chicken is given antibiotics, it must go through a withdrawal period before leaving the farm. Additionally, the FDA and USDA have monitoring and testing programs in place to ensure that food products at the grocery store do not contain harmful antibiotic residues.
While the "No Antibiotics Ever" or "Raised Without Antibiotics" label provides assurance to consumers, it's just one of the many product lines offered by companies. These companies use a range of management tools to keep their birds healthy, including individualized nutrition plans, probiotics, vaccines, improved barn conditions, and training programs for farmers. As a result, more than 50% of chicken production is now raised without any antibiotics ever.
In conclusion, when you see "No Antibiotics Ever" or "Raised Without Antibiotics" on a chicken label, it means those chickens have never received antibiotics. This claim is regulated by the USDA, which requires producers to provide documentation supporting their label claims. While this label provides some assurance to consumers, it's important to recognize that it doesn't guarantee disease-free birds, and other management practices are also crucial in maintaining the health of chicken flocks.
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'No Hormones or Steroids' is a label that can be used as the USDA banned these in poultry in the 1950s
When buying chicken, consumers may come across labels that say "No Hormones or Steroids". This label is often used as a unique selling point for chicken products, but it is important to note that the use of hormones and steroids in poultry has been banned by the USDA since the 1950s. This means that all chicken produced and sold in the United States is free of added hormones and steroids.
The ban on hormones and steroids in poultry was implemented to ensure the natural growth of chickens and to promote consumer safety. The USDA and FDA regulations prohibit the use of artificial or added hormones in the production of poultry. This includes the prohibition of hormones in poultry feed, water, or injections. As a result, all chicken in the United States is raised without the use of these substances.
Despite the ban, some meat industries still use growth hormones in their products. This has created a perception among consumers that hormone-free chicken is a unique and desirable feature. Companies may choose to include the "No Hormones or Steroids" label on their packaging to provide transparency and reinforce their commitment to premium, high-quality chicken.
It is worth noting that while the use of hormones and steroids is prohibited in poultry, other meat industries are allowed to use them. For example, the FDA has approved the use of steroid hormones in sheep and cows raised for beef. Additionally, there is an approved use of the non-steroidal hormone bovine somatotropin (bST or rbST) in dairy cows to increase milk production.
In summary, the label "No Hormones or Steroids" on chicken products is a result of the USDA ban on hormones and steroids in poultry since the 1950s. This label ensures consumers that the chicken they are purchasing is free of added hormones and steroids, which is a standard practice for all chicken produced and sold in the United States.
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'Organic' chicken must be free-range, fed non-GMO feed and not given antibiotics, but it may be vaccinated
The term "free of any artificial ingredients" on chicken packaging means that the chicken has no artificial ingredients, colouring ingredients, or chemical preservatives, and has been only minimally processed. Natural chicken breasts are also required to meet these criteria, but there is no process to verify this claim.
Organic chicken must adhere to specific regulations and standards. Firstly, organic chicken must be free-range, meaning the chickens were allowed access to the outdoors for a portion of the day. However, there is no requirement for the size of the outdoor area or the door to the outside, and inspections are not mandated for this label. Secondly, organic chicken must be fed non-GMO feed, which means the feed is organically grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and is not cross-contaminated with GMO feed. It is important to note that all chicken is technically free of genetically modified ingredients, as per USDA regulations.
Organic chicken must also not be given antibiotics. Flocks treated with antibiotics can no longer be marketed as "No Antibiotics Ever" or "Raised Without Antibiotics". However, chickens that require antibiotics for disease treatment or prevention are given another designation and must go through a withdrawal period before leaving the farm. While organic chicken cannot be routinely vaccinated, vaccines may be administered in specific circumstances. For instance, vaccines are permitted when a veterinarian confirms the presence or threat of a disease endemic to the region or farm, or when other management practices cannot effectively control the disease. The vaccines used must not contain genetically modified ingredients or by-products.
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'Free-range' chickens have access to the outdoors, but there is no precise federal government definition of this term
The term "free-range" on chicken labels is meant to appeal to consumers who care about the conditions in which farmed animals are raised. It is a marketing term used by the food industry to indicate that the chickens have access to the outdoors. However, the term is often misleading as there is no precise federal government definition of what constitutes "free-range."
The USDA's definition of "free-range" is that chickens must be "allowed access to the outside," but this can be interpreted in various ways. While some smaller farms allow their chickens to roam freely during the day, larger producers may only provide minimal outdoor access, such as open windows or small doors leading to paved areas, which is far from the ideal farm life envisioned by consumers. The lack of a clear definition allows corporations to raise chickens in confined indoor conditions while still using the more valuable "free-range" label.
The outdoor space provided to free-range chickens is often inadequate, with no requirements for its size or quality. It is likely too small and barren for the thousands of chickens sharing it, and the word "access" becomes an empty requirement. The term "free-range" also allows for practices such as debeaking, which involves the painful cutting off of a chick's beak, making it difficult for them to eat, clean themselves, and explore their environment.
While "free-range" chickens have access to the outdoors, the extent and quality of that access can vary significantly. The term is often used deceptively by the food industry, and consumers concerned about the welfare of the chickens they buy should seek out local or regional farms with certified humane standards or other trusted certifications.
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Frequently asked questions
"Free of any artificial ingredients" means that the chicken has no artificial ingredients or added colour, and has been only minimally processed.
Chicken labelled as "organic" must also be "free-range", but not all "free-range" chicken is organic. Less than 1% of chickens nationwide are raised as "free-range".
"No Antibiotics Ever" means that the chicken has never received antibiotics for any reason. Other terms with the same meaning include “never ever”, “no antibiotics added”, and “raised without antibiotics”.
All chicken is technically free of genetically modified ingredients. "Non-GMO" means that the chicken feed has been organically grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, in accordance with USDA regulations.
"Natural" means that the chicken has been minimally processed and contains no preservatives or artificial ingredients. However, this term does not mean that the chicken was raised without antibiotics or hormones.
