Certified Naturally Grown: Chicken
Certified Naturally Grown Is a Top Pick
This label was started by farmers who did not want to go through USDA organic certification requirements. The label generally follows the USDA organic standards but the verification is done by CNG farmers instead of independent certifiers.
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
*For feed supplements, GMOs prohibited
Drug Use
Antibiotics only administered to sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other routine drugs to 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)
*Biodiversity required if pasture is provided
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*
*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.