Regulations Would Require Consumer Protection Labeling Such As "Eggs from Caged Hens"
September 27, 2006
Washington, D.C.—A petition filed today by animal protection organization Compassion Over Killing and the Penn Law Animal Law Project calls upon the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate full disclosure of production methods for eggs sold within the United States.
Animal welfare related claims on egg cartons are currently unregulated in the U.S., rendering the labeling landscape nearly meaningless. As the petition makes clear, federal oversight is necessary to protect consumers from an array of false and misleading claims found on egg cartons nationwide. Phrases such as "animal-friendly," as well as images of happy hens roaming around outside can be used indiscriminately on egg cartons, even when those eggs are produced by birds confined inside wire battery cages so small that they can't spread their wings.
Polls show that most consumers oppose the intensive confinement of hens. Yet, more than 95% of eggs produced in the U.S. come from battery-caged hens. Without government standards in place that mandate truth in labeling, fraudulent advertising on egg cartons has become rampant and consumers are being duped.
Consumers expect and deserve meaningful information on food labels. "What is the egg industry trying to hide?" asked Compassion Over Killing executive director Erica Meier. "If factory farmers really believe it's appropriate to confine birds in battery cages where they can barely move, they should be willing to let consumers know about it."
This matter warrants federal regulation because the industry has proven that is incapable of regulating itself. One year ago this month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) entered an agreement with the United Egg Producers (UEP) to end the use of the misleading "Animal Care Certified" logo stamped on egg cartons since 2002. This announcement came two years after the Better Business Bureau had already deemed the logo misleading and recommended that its use be discontinued. Last week, it was announced that the UEP paid $100,000 to settle related false advertising claims brought forward by attorneys general in more than a dozen states. Despite these measures to protect consumers, "Animal Care Certified" can still be found in some places.
Mandatory labeling on egg cartons has already been implemented throughout the European Union. It's clear that similar standards are needed in the U.S.
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