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ICON DECODER

COMPANY RATINGS
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Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
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Eggs

The Guide > Food & Drink > Dairy & Chilled > Eggs 

    Industry Alert: Factory farming

Factory farming

Factory farming is the system of raising animals using 'intensive production' line methods that maximise the amount of meat produced while minimising costs. It is characterised by close confinement in barren and unnatural conditions and involves massive environmental pollution and health risks for both animals and humans. In Australia as in other countries this is our conventional means of raising pigs, chickens and producing eggs.  [www.animalsaustralia.org]
  • Look for eggs labelled 'free-range'; next choose 'barn-laid' over regular 'cage' (battery) eggs.  [Shop Ethical: Egg Choices]
  • Look for smallgoods labelled 'Free-Range'. Choose 'accredited free range' where possible. (Please note: 'Bred free range' can be misleading - piglets are weaned at about 4 weeks and raised indoors in eco shelters.)  [PROOF]
  • Look for 'Organic' or 'Free-Range' chicken and pork. (In order to achieve organic certification, chicken and pigs farmed organically must be free-range.)  [Sustainable Table]
  • See more at  [The Meatrix]
  • For information on the factory farming of chickens in Australia, see the Voiceless report "From Nest to Nugget", 2008.  [From Nest to Nugget]

Free range egg claims

In May 2016 a new national standard for free-range egg production was introduced, requiring the density of chickens outdoors must be no more than one hen per square metre (10,000 hens per hectare). This legislation is significantly less strict than the 1,500 birds per hectare standard, recommended by the CSIRO and preferred by the RSPCA. Consumer advocacy group CHOICE responded to the new standards by calling for a consumer boycott of eggs from companies with high stocking densities. Find out how particular brands stack up.  [Choice report]

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Free-range eggs buying guide  [more info]
Features: Low stocking density
Follow the link to see Choice's complete list of Australian egg brands that meet the recommended model code of 1500 hens per hectare. The government's free range egg standard allows stocking densities of up to 10,000 hens per hectare with no mandate for hens to actually spend time outdoors.
Manufacturer: CHOICE
Pastured and free range eggs directory  [more info]
Find local egg farmers who 'pasture' their hens. Check out the directory. These hens are raised all or most of their lives on pasture and are moved every few days to enrich the soil; they are free to dust bathe, scratch and forage, eating worms and grubs.
Manufacturer: Flavour Crusader
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Honest Eggs Co meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare Honest Eggs Co   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Yallamundi Farm meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare Yallamundi Farm   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Manning Valley  Manning Valley Eggs   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Lodge Farms  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Good Farmer (WA) meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare CF Farms   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Essential Foods  Farm Pride   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Farm Pride  Farm Pride   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Golden Eggs (WA)  Golden Egg Farms   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Family Value  Pace Farm   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Pace Farm  Pace Farm   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Wattle Ridge  Pace Farm   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Pirovic  Pirovic Family Farms   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Free Range Egg Farmers  Sunny Queen   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
McLean's Run meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare Sunny Queen   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Meggles Farm  Sunny Queen   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Organic Egg Farmers meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare certified organic meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare certified organic Sunny Queen   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Simply Eggs  Sunny Queen   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Sunny Queen  Sunny Queen   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Sunny Queen Free Range meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare Sunny Queen   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Natures Best  Veggs Australia   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Veggs for Families  Veggs Australia   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
ecoeggs meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare meets Model Code of 1500 hens per hectare Free Range Egg Farms   Australian Owned  Criticisms6
Field Fresh (NSW)  Free Range Egg Farms   Australian Owned  Criticisms6
Port Stephens (NSW)  Free Range Egg Farms   Australian Owned  Criticisms6



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