Food Alliance: Eggs

Food Alliance Certified Label

The Food Alliance label incorporates aspects of environmental, animal, and social sustainability. Each aspect has options that are scored on multiple attributes. While other labels may have more requirements or be more in depth in a particular area, this label covers many areas but requires less stringent requirements in each area compared to our top picks.

Requires Verification/Inspection

FoodPrint Label Criteria

Animal Feed Quality

Produced without industrial pesticides*
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited**
Prohibits animal waste and byproduct
Restricts use of feed supplements
Prohibits GMOs
*Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as USDA Organic
**Discouraged but not prohibited

Drug Use

Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other 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*****
*Encouraged but not systematic
**Discouraged but not prohibited
***Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as USDA Organic
****Some biodiversity requirements are required, but is not comprehensive
*****Some assessment of soil health is required, but is not comprehensive

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
Prohibits forced molting
Prohibits cages
Requires perches
Requires nest boxes
Dust bathing opportunities*
*Encouraged but not required
**Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as Animal Welfare Approved

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
*Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as Food Justice Certified
Food Label Glossary

For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.

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