What does free range actually mean.
What free range actually means.
The term free range refers to food from animals that have access to outdoor spaces.
Free range means hens have adequate space to move around inside their houses and have access to an outdoor space where they can roam freely.
Free range denotes a method of farming husbandry where the animals for at least part of the day can roam freely outdoors rather than being confined in an enclosure for 24 hours each day.
In accordance with the u s.
Many people who buy eggs believe free range means the hens are not caged true and they are roaming outdoors most of the time eh uncertain.
It s complicated asda is launching a new range of ethically produced milk but the free range label also found on eggs and meat can be confusing.
What free range should mean versus reality in the chicken industry the label free range largely applies to chickens who are raised for meat.
In order to use the organic label the chickens must not only be fed organic feed but must also be free range cage free plus have access to the outdoors.
It can also refer to animals who have free access to graze or forage for food.
What it really means.
Free range is another tricky claim.
Despite this the newly devised national standards state that these free range facilities may have a stocking density of up to 10 000 birds per hectare and that hens should have regular and meaningful access to the outdoors but do not specify what that actually means.
There s always a little spin with marketing and advertising so be smart and aware when you re shopping.
Unfortunately it is not a usda regulated term so it can mean different things depending on the brand.
Free range is not the same as organic.
It is just one example of the different egg production.
However it doesn t mean that the hens actually go outdoors or that the outdoor.