Global Animal Partnership Step 5+: Pork
This is a top pick for pork labels
The GAP label program offers 6 levels of certification primarily for animal welfare. Animals are also not fed drugs on a routine basis at all levels. There is a big difference between GAP 1 and GAP 5+. GAP 5+ requires full time pasture access and robust animal welfare practices including no transport for the animals, ever.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint Label Criteria
Animal Feed Quality
Produced without industrial pesticides
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Access to pasture or forage area
Prohibits animal waste and byproduct
Restricts use of feed supplements
Prohibits GMOs
Drug Use
Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other drugs to healthy animals
Environmental and Pasture Quality
Pasture management*
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
Animal Welfare and Living Conditions
Indoor space requirements
Prohibits long term confinement
Hygiene and manure management addressed
Teeth filing and clipping prohibited
Taildocking prohibited
Bedding required for indoor housing
Prohibits slatted flooring in indoor housing
Gestation crates prohibited
Farrowing crates prohibited
Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed*
Pasture required throughout grazing/growing season
*Is verified to meet industry baseline requirements
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.