Comment from Paul Greive
AnonymousSupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter argues that current labeling practices for "pasture raised" eggs are misleading and that the FDA should enforce stricter standards. They contend that "access" to pasture is not the same as being raised on pasture and that products should be labeled more accurately to reflect the birds' actual living conditions.
It’s simply inexcusable that consumers are being misled to the extent of paying significantly higher prices for pasture raised eggs from birds that have spent little, and in many cases zero, time on pasture. “Access” is clearly and demonstrably different than utilization and corporate egg marketers are exploiting this loophole to the tune of billions of dollars of Enterprise Value. Multi billion dollar corporations like Vital Farms will predictably wax poetic about the impact this ruling will have on small family farms. The truth is the small family farms have nothing to do with the false labeling of these corporate giants, and many of them will tell you directly their chickens are not raised on pasture. It is time for the FDA to step in and enforce truth and transparency in labeling. Access to pasture through a pop door is not the same as being raised on pasture. The majority of every animal’s productive life should be spent on pasture if the product is labeled as pasture raised. If not, and and the standard is outdoor or pasture access, it should be labeled appropriately as free range.
