Popular Conditions & Diets
Eggs are nothing short of a superfood. But behind the scenes, the differences in standards of living for egg-laying hens and the quality and flavour of their resulting eggs can be worlds apart.
While the various carton labels can give us insights into what’s happening at the production level, they can also be confusing to navigate. What’s the difference between ‘free range’ and ‘free run’? Does ‘certified organic’ guarantee a good life for the chicken?
Look below for a complete guide to every egg label you are likely to encounter.
Pasteurized Pasteurized eggs have been put through heat sterilization to neutralize any potentially harmful bacteria, such as salmonella. This can be a handy label to look for if you enjoy runny egg yolks but want to avoid any chance of contamination.
Omega-3 These hens are fed a diet including extra omega-3 fatty acids, featuring ingredients such as flax seeds or fish oil. While all eggs are rich in the omega 3 fatty acid DHA, eggs from hens fed an omega 3-rich diet will have even more.
Free-run Hens move freely on a barn floor area but do not necessarily have access to the outdoors. Food, water and nest areas are made available throughout the barn, and in some cases, perches and tiered aviary systems are available as well. Free-run hen populations are regulated to limit crowding.
Free-range Hens are housed in a barn setting similar to those of free-run hens. Additionally, free range hens enjoy regular access to the outdoors, and must be guaranteed a certain number of outside hours daily and annually. Free-range hens are fed grains but also have the opportunity to hunt and forage for their own food outside.
Non-GMO Hens are given feed guaranteed to be free of genetically modified organisms. Note that non-GMO does not necessarily mean organic.
Vegetarian or grain fed Hens are given a fully plant-based diet. It should be noted that the natural diet of hens and chickens would usually include a wide variety of insects, worms, snakes, frogs and more.
Certified organic Hens are housed in a barn setting. Not only must they be given daily outdoor access to a pen or pasture area, but they must remain antibiotic-free, but all ingredients in their feed must be certified organic. The minimum amount of outdoor time for organic hens is even greater than their free-range counterparts. Organic certification also means another layer of 3rd part oversight of all aspects of egg-laying facilities and animal welfare.
Pasture-raised This term is not universally regulated, so look to regional certifying bodies and seals for exact definitions and parameters. Generally, pasture-raised eggs come from hens that enjoy the highest amount of outdoor time and open space, as well as full freedom to enjoy activities such as nesting, perching, and hunting. Certified organic pasture-raised eggs may be the most high quality, traditionally farmed, and naturally raised eggs available in a package.
Grade A The letter grade refers to the cleanliness and shape of the shell, the position of the yolk, and the size of the air bubble inside the shell. Grade A connotes a vibrant and centred yolk, a spotless, round shell, perfectly consistent egg white, and an extremely small air bubble.
Medium, large, extra large, or jumbo The size refers to a specific weight range. Medium eggs weigh from 49 to 55 grams, large eggs weigh from 56 to 62 grams, extra large eggs weigh from 63 to 69 grams, and jumbo eggs weigh 70 grams or more.
And if you are wondering whether or not the fancier eggs are worth it, your best bet is to see for yourself! Try different types of eggs and see if you can taste the difference. Now that you are equipped with an understanding of what all the labels mean, you have everything you need to explore all that the world of eggs has to offer.
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Lead photo by Derick McKinney on Unsplash
Egg labels are designed to inform—but without context, they often confuse more than they clarify. Understanding terms like free-run, free-range, organic, and pasture-raised helps you make choices that align with your values around nutrition, animal welfare, and budget. Once you know what the labels actually mean, the egg aisle becomes far less overwhelming.
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