Consumer's Union Can Give Us a Win If We Destroy Natural: Getting Rid of Garbage on Our Labels
People don't know where food comes from, and we're putting product into our body that we don't check out. This is why one important goal at the Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability Center is to fight for more meaningful labels.
There is no way to tell what a label means by just looking at it. Consumers should be more educated today about both the truth and hype in labeling. The Federal Trade Commission is an entire agency dedicated to preventing deceptive and misleading business practices, but they're not doing their jobs. The markets are littered with completely misleading labels like natural or free range, which simply clog up the market.
It's time to ban the label "natural" outright because it has absolutely no relation to how the animals were raised. Consumers need to be more educated about what these labels really mean and not just take them at face value. With more education, we can create a better marketplace where consumers have access to honest labeling that tells us exactly what we're getting.
Multinational companies often change the verbiage to make it sound like they are being more humane and sustainable, but this is all just a marketing ploy. The best label for animal welfare is actually "Animal Welfare approved," which means the animals were raised outdoors on pasture and range, by independent farmers, minimizing mutilations, and feeding them the diet that was meant.
We need to change the way farm animals are farmed because if we eat, we should be concerned about who picks our food and how it has been brought to us. We want to know that all of those workers are being treated fairly and not being exploited. This is why the "Food Justice" certification label is so important – it protects Farm Workers from exposures to pesticides and mandates a living wage.
The dollar in our pocket is almost more powerful than any regulation or half-baked law because consumers have the power to vote with their food dollars in favor of meaningful labels in the marketplace. We can be part of that change by logging onto Greener Choices.org to learn more and see how we can make a difference. If we all work together, we will have a food source forever and a planet that our children's children can enjoy.
If we want to have a better system for animal welfare and environmental stewardship, consumers need to demand it through their purchasing power. By choosing products with labels like Animal Welfare approved or Food Justice certification, we are voting with our wallets for change. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the planet to make conscious choices about what we put in our bodies and where we get our food.
The key to creating giant changes in our food system is through consumers expressing a desire to buy food that is truly high animal welfare and high environmental stewardship. This requires an education of consumers on what these labels really mean and how they can impact the way we eat. By working together, we can create a better food system for everyone – humans, animals, and the planet.
Consumer's Union Can Give Us a Win If We Destroy Natural: Getting Rid of Garbage on Our Labels
The way that our food is produced is one of the most impactful ways that we affect the environment. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to agriculture. Moreover, industrial farming can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
The way that our food is produced also affects animal welfare, with millions of animals raised in poor conditions every year. Factory farms prioritize efficiency and profit over animal welfare, resulting in cruel practices like overcrowding, neglect, and mutilation. However, there are alternatives to industrial farming that prioritize animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
One example is the "Animal Welfare approved" label, which ensures that animals were raised outdoors on pasture and range, by independent farmers, minimizing mutilations, and feeding them the diet that was meant. This approach not only improves animal welfare but also promotes soil health, biodiversity, and efficient water use.
Another example is the "Food Justice" certification label, which protects Farm Workers from exposures to pesticides and mandates a living wage. This certification ensures that farm workers are treated fairly and have access to safe working conditions, clean water, and nutritious food.
Consumers can play a crucial role in creating change by demanding better labeling on their food products. By choosing products with labels like Animal Welfare approved or Food Justice certification, we are voting with our wallets for better animal welfare and environmental stewardship practices.
The key to creating giant changes in our food system is through consumers expressing a desire to buy food that is truly high animal welfare and high environmental stewardship. This requires an education of consumers on what these labels really mean and how they can impact the way we eat. By working together, we can create a better food system for everyone – humans, animals, and the planet.
Consumer's Union Can Give Us a Win If We Destroy Natural: Getting Rid of Garbage on Our Labels
The rise of multinational companies has led to the proliferation of misleading labels in the market. These companies often change their verbiage to make it sound like they are being more humane and sustainable, but this is all just a marketing ploy.
One common label that comes to mind is "natural." However, the term "natural" has no inherent meaning and can be misleading. It's often used as a marketing tool to create a perceived health benefit without providing any real evidence. In reality, "natural" products may still contain ingredients or processes that have negative environmental impacts.
Another label that is often misused is "free range." While it sounds like an attractive option for consumers who care about animal welfare, the term can be misleading if not defined clearly. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires that animals on free-range farms must have access to the outdoors at least 12 hours a day, but this does not necessarily mean that the animals are living in safe or healthy conditions.
In order to create a better marketplace where consumers have access to honest labeling, we need to educate ourselves about what these labels really mean. This requires taking a closer look at the language and definitions used by companies and understanding how they impact our purchasing decisions.
By being more informed and vigilant, consumers can make conscious choices about what we put in our bodies and where we get our food. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the planet to demand better labeling and create a market that values animal welfare and environmental stewardship above profits.
Consumer's Union Can Give Us a Win If We Destroy Natural: Getting Rid of Garbage on Our Labels
The best way to ensure that consumers have access to honest labeling is by supporting companies that prioritize transparency and sustainability. This can be achieved by choosing products with labels like Animal Welfare approved or Food Justice certification, which provide clear information about the production methods used.
One example is a company called Mary's Chicken, which offers "Animal Welfare approved" chicken products that are raised outdoors on pasture and range, by independent farmers, minimizing mutilations, and feeding them the diet that was meant. By choosing this product, consumers can support a more humane and sustainable farming practice.
Another example is a company called Patagonia Provisions, which offers "Food Justice" certified chicken products that protect Farm Workers from exposures to pesticides and mandate a living wage. By choosing this product, consumers can support a fairer and healthier food system.
In order to create a better marketplace where consumers have access to honest labeling, we need to demand more transparency and accountability from companies. This requires supporting companies that prioritize sustainability and animal welfare over profits.
By working together, we can create a market that values honesty and transparency above all else. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the planet to support companies that prioritize our well-being and the health of the environment.
The future of food is in our hands – as consumers, we have the power to demand change by choosing products with labels like Animal Welfare approved or Food Justice certification. By supporting these companies and making conscious choices about what we put in our bodies, we can create a more sustainable and humane food system for everyone.