USDA Organic: Chicken
USDA Organic Is a Top Pick
The organic label has among the strongest standards for environmental sustainability including prohibiting synthetic fertilizers and industrial pesticides. Animal feed must be 100% organically produced and without animal byproducts or daily drugs. GMOs are prohibited (though testing is not required).
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
*Feed supplements are GMO-restricted
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 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
*Vegetation required in outdoor space
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.