American Humane Certified: Chicken
The is a very basic animal welfare label compared to other animal welfare certifications.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint Label Criteria
Animal Feed Quality
Produced without industrial pesticides
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Prohibit animal waste and byproduct
Restricted use of feed supplements
GMOs prohibited
Drug Use
Antibiotics only administered to sick animals or prohibited*
Prohibit hormones and other routine drugs to healthy animals**
*Allowance for prophylactic prevention in healthy animals
**Hormones and other growth promoters prohibited but allowed use of other drugs for prophylaxis (disease prevention in healthy animals)
Environmental and Pasture Quality
Pasture management / rotational grazing plan required
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Grown without industrial pesticides
Biodiversity required in pasture
Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time (soil biome, carbon sequestration, etc)
Animal Welfare and Living Conditions
Breed health requirements
Minimum indoor space requirements
Natural light required
Standards for indoor ammonia levels
Outdoor access required
Pasture access required
Hygiene and manure management addressed
Physical alterations prohibited (debeaking, etc)
Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times*
Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed**
Requires perches***
Dust bathing opportunities***
*Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as Animal Welfare Approved
**Is verified to meet industry baseline requirements
***Encouraged but not required
Worker Welfare
Standards and protections for workers on farm
Standards and protections for workers in processing plants
Fair/living wages ensured
Health care insurance ensured
Food Label Glossary
For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.