GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

Food Labels Decoded, Fertile Egg Labels

2/9/2021

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Enjoying a good healthy breakfast is always a good way to start the day. For many, Eggs are a major part of breakfast, several times a week. Yet, we are bombarded with so many different labels for eggs, that a breakfast lover has to wonder what is the complete story behind the good old egg?

At best, we have fractured information with Egg labels and perhaps that is why we have so many labels...

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I covered Cage-Free back on October 2, 2013, but now there is a fairly NEW label called Comfort Coop or Enriched Colony. I didn't cover this label, so I will now, because the information for this label doesn't add up to much.
What does this new Comfort Coop / Enriched Colony label mean?
The chickens are in larger cages and have an "opportunity" to flap wings, perch and nest, in a clean environment.

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I had already covered Farm Fresh or Farm Raised on Jan. 13, 2014, and now we have Fertile.
This label called Fertile is for Eggs and this label also doesn't say much to help the consumer. Just another label that causes confusion in my opinion. Eggs with a Fertile label means the chickens live with roosters. This "may" mean that the chickens were Cage-Free. That is all.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to buy eggs from a small farm or someone raising chickens the old way, then do so. All the labels stamped on an egg carton will never tell the complete story. Best to see the complete situation with your own eyes when buying from a small local farm. Also if possible, see what your town codes allow. You may be able to have your own chickens and even a goat!

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Food Labels Decoded, Free Range

1/14/2021

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Free Range

Free Range or Free Roaming or Free Running / Cage Free

To say all these labels for the same topic is confusing, is an understatement.

On October 2, 2013, I posted a GoingTrueGreen blog for Food Labels Decoded that was titled Cage Free. Free Range eggs and chickens are similar to Free Run or Cage Free, except that with Free Range the hens are also given outdoor access. With Cage Free, the hens are not in cages, however, they are all kept inside the building or hen house.

Free Range has the added benefit of allowing hens to forage on outdoor grass, some bugs, and take a dust bath. How long and how often the hens get to go outside is NOT presented by this Free Range label. The label states that all animals for producing poultry and eggs are not to be confined. The rule continues by stating that the birds must have access to the outdoors for 5 minutes per day. Wow, 5 minutes, still doesn't sound like a stress free farm for hens. Yet, there is more...

There isn't any proof the birds actually went outside at all. This label also doesn't state if they are treated well or are antibiotic-free. The Bottom-Line, many of these birds can live their lives inside and still have a label saying Free Range because they weren't in cages. One last item, only USDA regulated poultry gets this label.

As I continue to add to my Food Labels Decoded series, please note that I am doing the labels in alphabetic order and that I am only up to the letter "F" as of now. Getting all the facts on the various labels being used is time consuming and sorting out the misleading information is not easy. I just hope that the information I post, can help us live a more sustainable life and allow us to make healthier decisions.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Santa Cruz: Recycle After Consuming

3/23/2017

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Santa Cruz Organic Juice

Dear GTG Readers,

The Santa Cruz company has various comestibles for sale. While this is not an endorsement, I do wish to present a request to them via my blog. The reason is because I had emailed them over two years ago and never received any feedback. So perhaps with all my Going True Green blog readers also submitting this request with social media, we may actually see a response or implementation!

Yes, I like the fact that their juice comes in "glass" bottles, products are Organic and Non GMO verified, 100% of electricity used to make various products is offset with certified renewable energy (verify at Green-e.org) and their California manufacturing facility has a platinum level Zero Waste certification—the highest level offered.

One morning I noticed on one of their labels the need for one additional line of directions, my original email is below:

Hello everyone at the Santa Cruz company,

As an Environmental Scientist, Energy Consultant and the President of GoingTrueGreen.com, I have enjoyed many of your products immensely. One morning while reading your label on the Santa Cruz Organic Orange Mango 100% juice I saw the following in small print by the Bar Code:

Natural separation may occur,
Shake before enjoying.
Refrigerate after opening.

This is excellent, but can you consider adding one more line to your label: " Recycle after consuming ".

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

If any reader agrees with the inclusion of my suggestion and is so incline, please add/share your request for this important addition. Thank you.

Bill Lauto, at Going True Green
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Food Labels Decoded, Food Alliance Certified

10/9/2016

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Food Alliance Certified

Food Alliance Certified

Have you ever seen this label? The United States has at least 250 Food Alliance Certified farms and ranches. Another 250 plus are in Canada and Mexico. These food producers are mid-sized or small family operated businesses. They have clean water, open air facilities, pastures, and do not use artificial hormones. Soil is preserved and antibiotics are only used when necessary. Benefits from being certified include customer loyalty, increased sales, new markets, and positive customer feedback.

These farmers and ranchers are overseen by a third-party to see if they pass the certification program. The Food Alliance program is all about sustainability and they are a nonprofit organization started in 1998. Their seal honors farmers and ranchers who conduct socially minded practices, as well as, showing an environmentally responsible code of operations.

Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
 International Sustainability and Energy Consultant 
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Eat Your Pesticides

9/27/2016

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Conventionally Grown Apples

An apple a day, may cause a hospital stay.

That old adage may need to change to the one proffered above; and strawberries should be added to the list. The reason is because after five years where apples had the title of the most pesticide-ridden produce, strawberries have now "earned" the title, coming up from 4th place to "achieve" the top spot in the 2016 Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Shopper's Guide to Produce.

The following list shows the "conventionally grown" veggies and fruits that contain the highest amounts of pesticides:

Strawberries / Apples / Nectarines / Peaches / Celery / Grapes / Cherries
Spinach / Tomatoes / Bell Peppers / Cherry Tomatoes / Cucumber

The residues of hazardous pesticides on our conventionally grown veggies and fruits don't violate United States' laws and regulations on pesticides in food. This data was presented by EWG's senior analyst, Sonya Lunder. “The EPA’s levels of residues allowed on produce are too lax to protect Americans’ health. They should be updated to reflect new research that shows even very small doses of toxic chemicals can be harmful, particularly for young children.” Also do not disregard the new adage that starts this blog post. A family friend had to rush her husband to the hospital after he ate a whole bowl of unwashed cherries while watching a TV show. Cherries are listed as number 7 on the list above and his body's reaction to the pesticides caused him to become ill and in need of medical attention.

Today we have fruits, such as strawberries, grown conventionally year-round and 98% of them had detectable pesticide residue. Some conventionally grown strawberries had up to 17 different pesticides on them. Strawberries grown in California can have as much as 300 pounds of pesticides dumped on each acre. Then there is the disastrous problem with run-off of these pesticides into our waterways! (You may wish to take our Going True Green Workshop on WATER)

EWG recommends that shoppers buy organic versions of these fruits and vegetables. If organic foods are too costly for your budget, try to buy the following fruits and veggies that are conventionally grown, but have the least amount of pesticide residue:

Avocados / Corn / Pineapples / Cabbage / Sweet Peas / Onions / Asparagus
Mangoes / Papayas / Kiwis / Eggplant / Honeydew / Grapefruit / Cantaloupe / Cauliflower

All this proves the oldest adage, "Buyer Beware!"

Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
 International Sustainability and Energy Consultant 
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Food Labels Decoded, Farm Raised

1/13/2014

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Farm Raised

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Farm Raised or Wild Caught

Does something smell fishy? You should decide before you purchase fish again.

Farm-raised fish are from irrigation ditches, ponds, pens, netted areas and tanks. These fish do not live in a natural habitat and the majority are not caught by fishing boats. (A small percentage of Farm-raised fish from fish hatcheries are released into the ocean for commercial fisherman to catch.)

Due to the public's increase demand for seafood, Farm-raised fish was first believed to be the answer. However, rules for this label are mostly non-existent. Pens can be over-crowded and the prevailing question is how often are the pens cleaned out or how often is the fish feces cleaned out? Yes, a netted area opened to the ocean will offer better circulation of water and flush the area clean, but how can the consumer know if the fish they are buying had those living features? The Farm-raised label doesn't tell these details.

Farm Raised Label

Many consumers now look to buy only Wild Caught labeled fish because they are considered healthier for several reasons: Wild-caught fish have a more balanced diet, have less fats, they are more nutritious. They also have more protein and live longer compared to Farm-raised fish according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Consumers might know that Farm-raised fish are less expensive to buy and less of an environmental concern due to fishing techniques that use drift nets, and may cause damage to the ocean's environment. Fishing lines and cage traps are the preferred methods and do the least damage. However, there are no laws making these better fishing techniques mandatory. Also to consider is the possibility of netted areas with Farm-raised fish causing a discharge plume with overbearing amounts of fish feces into the ocean.

When shopping for fish if we wish to live with the highest outlook for sustainability, we should look for another label: The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label, which will be covered in this blog within a few weeks.

When eating out in a restaurant, there are several questions one should ask if ordering fish: How was the fish caught? From what waters did the fish come from? (Location such as: the North Sea, off Cape Cod, New York's Hudson River or Prince William's Sound in Alaska?) If Farm-raised fish is on the menu, ask how was the fish raised? In a tank, pond or netted area? What was the diet and were the facilities sanitized?

If the fish store or the chef of the restaurant have any pride in what they are serving their customers, they will know the answers to these questions! If not, leave and go elsewhere.

So on one hand we have the over-fishing of the ocean and on the other hand we are without guidelines and detailed labels that state all the facts. We also have corrupt fish retailers marking Farm-raised fish as Wild Caught. Oceana, who is a nonprofit ocean protection group, stated that 1/3 of all fish purchased between 2010 and 2012 were mislabeled. Consumer Reports in 2006 stated that almost 50% of Wild-caught salmon bought in supermarkets were actually Farm-raised.

No matter what you decide, like it or not, we as consumers must strive to be informed.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Food Labels Decoded, Dolphin Safe

12/3/2013

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Dolphin Safe Label

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As I continue to help decode all the food labels on the market, the next label is about protecting dolphins when fishing for tuna. Even with the consumption of tuna decreasing in this county, mostly due to concern with Mercury levels in tuna fish, today there is much controversy over this label. The concept of a dolphin safe tuna labels originated here in the United States. The goal is to minimize the number of dolphins caught during fishing for tuna and to prevent dolphin fatalities. Nevertheless, like several other labels, Dolphin Safe labels have various requirements and some are stricter than others.

The reasons for this label started in 1990 by the United States Department of Commerce are because dolphins are commonly swimming with schools of Yellowfin Tuna and fishermen used the dolphins as an indicator for the presence of tuna. End result, dolphins get caught in the nets with tuna and the dolphins were not offered a chance to escape. Thus the entire species of dolphin in the Eastern Tropical Pacific was in danger. Dolphin Protection movements by environmental groups helped pass this label law under the Consumer Information Act known as DPCIA. One interesting note is that dolphins do not swim with Skipjack Tuna, thus you can be almost 100% sure this species of tuna is without any dolphin fatalities. Unfortunately, Skipjack Tuna is not always listed on the can or jar we buy.

The issues with the 1990 DPCIA label are many. Only U.S. waters are included, so canneries are free to purchase tuna from other foreign fisheries, thus U.S. regulations can not assure U.S. consumers that the tuna they buy is dolphin-safe tuna. Also verification is neither universal nor independent. Only U.S. tuna fishing boats and U.S. canneries are subject to surprise inspection and observation. In addition, a 2008 report presented by Greenpeace stated that these labels do not mean no other species of fish was caught with the tuna. The report also stated that there was no protection against the environmental impact caused by fishing for tuna.

This Flipper Seal of Approval dolphin-safe label on the left is from the organization EarthTrust. Tuna is not allowed to be caught by driftnets or gillnets. Only the method of hook and line fishing is allowed. EarthTrust must be allowed to observe and monitor all steps of the fishing process. At this time, the Flipper Seal of Approval maybe the most reliable.

Earth Island Institute is behind the work with this label that states the tuna is dolphin-safe. The rules are listed as: No dolphin can be intentionally chased, circled or netted. Driftnets and gillnets cannot be used. At no time can other fish be added to the catch or the canning process that is from a unfriendly source toward dolphins.

Unfortunately, the label has received scrutiny from the World Trade Organization and Environmental groups in the United States. The reason for this is because Earth Island Institute is failing to inspect and ensure that dolphins are not harmed.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Food Labels Decoded, Country Of Origin

11/8/2013

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Country Of Origin Label (COOL)

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The label on the left states the following...
Country of origin: Farm Cattle, Born in Mexico, Raised and slaughtered in the United States.

COOL labels came about from the American law know as the 2002 Farm Bill. The law and the expansion version now requires retailers to provide country of origin labeling for fresh beef, pork, lamb, goat, chicken, wild and farm raised fish, fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables, nuts, and ginseng. However, excluded from the law are all processed meats and processed food. For example, if you buy a jar of Blueberry jam, you will not see a country of origin label for the fruit inside the jar. If you buy "cold-cuts" in a package, you will have no idea where the meat or meats came from.

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Grapes from the United States

Bananas from Guatemala

Nevertheless, having information about what country certain fruit is coming from is very helpful when you want to avoid pesticides that are banned in the United States, but still used in a south American country.

"However, excluded from the law are all processed meats and processed food. For example, if you buy a jar of Blueberry jam, you will not see a country of origin label for the fruit inside the jar.
If you buy "cold-cuts" in a package, you will have no idea where the meat or meats came from."

In addition, please note that AMS (Agricultural Marketing Service) is responsible for administration and enforcement of COOL. AMS offers quality grade standards, grading, certification, auditing, inspection, and lab analysis. Industry pays for these services and they are voluntary.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Food Labels Decoded, Humane Raised

10/8/2013

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Certified Humane Raised and Handled

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All products with this label are to be produced with the comfort of farm animals coming first. The nonprofit and independent organization, Humane Farm Animal Care, operates all inspections. Normal animal behavior is encouraged with open spaces and understanding human hands. Proper protection from the elements and clean water must always be available. There are no tethers, no antibiotics, no hormones, no restrictive farrowing crates for sows, no cages, and no abuse, for a reduced stress environment. No abuse such as forced molting in birds through starvation. A minimum of 4 hours of exercise per day must be afforded to dairy cattle.

Pork and beef processors are visited by third-party inspectors who are animal welfare experts to verify compliance of Certified Humane farmers/producers. Environmental standards must be complied with in addition to a higher benchmark for slaughtering farm animals. A benchmark higher than the required levels set by the Federal Humane Slaughter Act.

Nevertheless, the following is allowed: Outdoor access and visible daylight are not required for all species. Chickens may not be in cages, but they are inside barns or a warehouse that some will consider over-crowed. These chickens are not "free-range." Birds can be "debeaked" and pigs can have tail-docking done to them.

Please review our Food Labels Decoded posting on September 23, 2013, titled American Humane Certified. Images of debeaking, farrowing crates, and tail-docking, can be seen by Clicking Here.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Food Labels Decoded, Certified Vegan

10/4/2013

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Certified Vegan

Certified Vegan

Any product with this Logo, such as food, clothing, or makeup, does not contain any animal products nor was any testing done on animals. A nonprofit organization called Vegan Awareness Foundation does all administration work for this logo.

Since 1998 this logo, a registered trademark, has been applied only to foods, clothing, cosmetics and other products that contain no animal products as well as never been tested on animals. Hundreds of companies are featuring this logo on several thousands of products. Consumers enjoy shopping when this label is featured, because the shopper doesn't need to check individual ingredients on the side panel's long list of ingredients. Below are a few Vegan dishes, homemade and from restaurants.

Bill Lauto, GTG