Fair Trade

Public Perception

http://imgur.com/X7zacoE 

Fair Wage and Working Conditions for Farm Workers

Members of the movement advocate the payment of higher prices to exporters, as well as higher social and environmental standards.

FDA official policy is that “the agency has not objected to the use of the term 'Natural' if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.”

This ambiguos statement means that any plant derived product no matter how highly processed can be considered natural, including high fructose corn syrup.

"Natural" animal based

Public Perception

http://imgur.com/oUf62WC

When it comes to animal products FDA policy becomes more strict. Consumers can be confident that there are no artificial ingredients or colors added, and that it is only minimally processed, but that does not mean hormone-free or antibiotic-free.

Organic

Public Perception 

http://imgur.com/SBsioSy

 The “organic” food label and seal is strictly regulated by the National Organic Program, which is administered through the USDA. Foods with an organic seal are certified and contain at least 95% organic content.

http://imgur.com/aJazAEN  

Organic food is produced using approved organic farming methods which exclude "synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering."

http://imgur.com/S0Y6yEP

Humanely raised

vs

Free Range

Public Perception

http://imgur.com/EuRNVse

"humanely raised" and "cage free" aren not regulated by the government in the same way as "free range" which only applies to poultry. Instead, they are based on The National Chicken Council's animal welfare guidelines, an industry-created standard. Producers will then have the USDA verify that their practices follow the industry-created standard.

Perdue Farms: https://youtu.be/YE9l94b3x9U 

In "free range" operations producers must demonstrate to the USDA that the poultry has at least been allowed access to the outside with criteria for space and time. 

Food Origin

 Public Perception

http://imgur.com/kIEMkWh

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) enforces the labeling requirements under the Country of Origin Labeleing (COOL) law for meat, poultry, and egg products, including covered commodities.

"Product of the U.S." - born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S.

"Product of the U.S., Country X" - born in Country X, raised and slaughtered in the U.S.

Product of Country X, U.S. - imported into the U.S. for immediate slaughter

Product of Country X - final product imported into the U.S

Meat markets or butcher shops do not follow the COOL law

Raised without Antibiotics

Nearly one third of consumers mistakenly think this label means no antibiotics or any other drugs were used.

Public Perception

http://imgur.com/U0qC3z7

"No antibiotics added" may be used on labels for meat or poultry products if sufficient documentation is provided by the producer to the USDA.

Antibiotics are often still necessary under certain circumstances to promote the health of a sick animal. The World Health Organization has put forward a statement that sub-therapuetic levels as well as overuse of broad antibiotics are likely to be the largest contributers to antibiotic resistance."

No Hormones

Hormones are not allowed in raising pork or poultry.

"No hormones administered" may be approved for use on the label of dairy cattle products if sufficient documentation is provided to the Agency by the producer.

In many cases a disclaimer accompanies this label indicating that "the FDA acknowledges no difference between milk produced with or without the hormone." This trend has increased since 2007 due to industry influence.