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Organic Valley, the nation's largest name-brand marketer of organic eggs, is being accused of misleading consumers about the living conditions of its California hens, and for violating federal organic standards, according to a story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The bombshell was dropped by the California-based organic watchdog group Cornucopia Institute, which says the hens at the Petaluma Egg Farm were confined in screened "porches" and not allowed to forage naturally in pastures with direct sunlight.
"The federal organic standards clearly state that 'year-round access for all animals to the outdoors' is a requirement," says Mark Kastel, Senior Farm Policy Analyst with the group in a release on their website.
The Cornucopia Institute has filed a legal complaint with the USDA over the matter. The current dust-up may be prompted by the USDA's National Organic Standards Board meeting scheduled for the end of April, where the board is expected to address whether "porches" meet the definition of access to the outdoors.
Organic Valley does not refer to Petaluma Egg Farm by that name, but identifies the operation as Judy and Steve's Egg Farm, a tactic often used by large-scale agriculture producers.
"We call it Petaluma Poultry and Steve and Judy's," Theresa Marquez, Organic Valley spokesperson tells Slashfood. "Just because it was a big ag tactic doesn't mean it was our tactic. We have a transparency page where our position is very clear."
"I'm outraged Mark Kastel called our integrity into question. We do everything we can to have high quality standards. He doesn't like porches. I'm not sure I do either, but porches are actually part of the organic certification. In California, it's considered access to the outdoors. We were approved," Marquez says.
To be clear, eggs from Petaluma Egg Farm that fall under the Organic Valley brand are not labeled pastured. (Organic Valley eggs from Midwest producers are pasture-raised.) The California eggs are labeled cage-free and organic. The exception for the use of porches is addressed on the company's website:
"Our farmers are required to provide 1.75 square feet per bird indoors and five square feet per bird outdoors. An exception to this is made for our producer in California, where state veterinarians and the California Department of Agriculture strongly advocate that birds not have free-range outdoor access because of the risk of Avian Influenza transmission. Our California farmer-owner has screened houses with lots of natural light, and his outdoor access method is approved by his organic certifier, Oregon Tilth."
Petaluma Egg Farm also sells eggs under the brand names Rock Island, Uncle Eddie's, Judy's Family Farm and Gold Circle.
Cornucopia Institute has, in addition, filed a legal complaint with the USDA against Michigan-based Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, also for violating federal organic standards by confining hens in buildings.
"We'd like to paint this topic black and white, but the fact is, it's a very complex issue. We are trying to be straightforward and now we're being punished for it?' says Marquez. "The question is, how do we produce organic in a large enough commercial way that we can drive the price down and not be food for the elite?"
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4-20-2011 @7:18AM Neckkink said... Not nice lieing about what we eat. Beheadings are in order.
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4-20-2011 @8:53AM jim davis said... Beheadings------ for the humans or chickens? Seriously, the way animals are treated, confined to one small area 24/seven, is the worst kind of cruelty. People who mistreat animals have no soul and would mistreat god if they could.
4-20-2011 @8:30AM Frank said... Much ado about nothing.
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4-20-2011 @8:32AM R.G. said... Nothing surprise's me anymore, NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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4-20-2011 @5:41PM DJ said... How about just show us some video and let me make up my own mind?
I spend more time reading the boxes nowadays than I do eating the food !
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4-20-2011 @9:29AM chckpope said... AHHHG!! What!?! Screened in porches, those cruel folks should know a chicken can't get sun through a screen, much less while sitting on a porch. Geeze, I may never eat another egg, the injustice of it all.
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4-20-2011 @9:36AM Karen Yocom said... I'm MORE annoyed that Corporate farms are using "cutsie" names ("Steve and Judy's) to make us think we're supporting local farmers. Another example of why we can't believe ANYTHING anymore without researching it.
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4-20-2011 @9:40AM frank said... Another completely useless aol story. I must learn to stop clicking 'interesting ' headlines.
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4-20-2011 @12:09PM Nate said... IF YOUR NOT INTERESTED FRANK, THEN WHY CLICK ON THE STORY, THEN LEAVE NOT 1 BUT 2 COMMENTS! GOD YOU OLD GEEZER!
4-20-2011 @9:47AM lesley said... Egglands Best is no better, they say that they are "cage free" and all they are is held in a barn with sky lights never getting outside! I know because I called the number on my egg carton after hearing something or reading something about mislead ing information on the packaging.
They still "trim thier beaks" and de spur the chickens so that tells you that they are cramped in the barn area.
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4-20-2011 @9:47AM Bazz said... Chickens name is Bobalewsky--Eggie's name is De - Whoa Whoa !!
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4-20-2011 @10:00AM John said... I've been in the barns egg producers use to house chickens in 2 cubic foot cages, feeding them and providing water but no sunlight or free range to move around and eat whatever they find on the ground. The stench is appalling but it is for chickens and not humans. The eggs provided from these facilities are no different than those you get from Judy & Steves egg farm or any other "Organic" egg farm. An Egg is an Egg. Research has proven they contain the same nutrients. They look the same and taste the same when prepared in the same way. It's just that some idiots just do not get the message. The chickens as well as other animals were proved by God for Humans use and consumption, not the same treatment you would give yoruself or your brother or sister. You don't want to buy eggs from Petaluma Farms then OK get yours elsewhere. Who the hell cares.
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4-20-2011 @10:15AM Davidd said... I agree with you 100%. An egg is an egg. They both do the same when you cook it. It doesn't taste any different either.Let these fools pay $3-4 a dozen for their eggs I'm happy just paying $1.39 for mine. Thanks for speaking the truth John.
4-20-2011 @11:11AM Meredeth said... John, please think more clearly about what you said. God did provide these farm animals for human consumption. No one on here that I see disputes that. He also provided us with a brain and a heart. He was very clear that we are to take care of his creation, the earth and the animals that live on it. We are not discussing the nutritional value of the eggs, yet the treatment of the animals. I agree that animals are not to be treated in the same manor as humans. They do, as God's creations alone, deserve better. To be allowed to live on God's creation, eat from his creation, etc. We should not house them in quarters so tight they can barely move and then only around in their own feces. We should not have to research the farms the companies buy from to ensure that the ads are not misleading. "Cage Free" does not mean building free, just not 4 hens to a tiny cage. Free range only means outdoor space, 5sf max from what i understand... These animals are Gods creation and should be treated with respect. Their lives, if to be killed for food, should at least be a decent.
4-20-2011 @11:11AM Meredeth said... John, please think more clearly about what you said. God did provide these farm animals for human consumption. No one on here that I see disputes that. He also provided us with a brain and a heart. He was very clear that we are to take care of his creation, the earth and the animals that live on it. We are not discussing the nutritional value of the eggs, yet the treatment of the animals. I agree that animals are not to be treated in the same manor as humans. They do, as God's creations alone, deserve better. To be allowed to live on God's creation, eat from his creation, etc. We should not house them in quarters so tight they can barely move and then only around in their own feces. We should not have to research the farms the companies buy from to ensure that the ads are not misleading. "Cage Free" does not mean building free, just not 4 hens to a tiny cage. Free range only means outdoor space, 5sf max from what i understand... These animals are Gods creation and should be treated with respect. Their lives, if to be killed for food, should at least be a decent.
4-20-2011 @10:44AM Kodiak said... I think you are missing the point. Yes, in most cases, an egg is an egg. Eggs can be made "healthier" by the addition of flaxseed to the diet of the hen, but that is not the issue in this article. The organic standard implies that chickens will be "cage free", and to some people that is important. I eat eggs, milk and meat, but I am willing to pay more if I am assured that the animals are kept in humane conditions. That being said, I realize that chickens really can't just safely run around the farmyard. Sure, 100 years ago farmers let their chickens run wild and free, but back then farmers were also free to shoot all the foxes, hawks, bobcats, skunks, and eagles that threatened their chickens. Farmers no longer have this option, so to keep chickens safe they need to be screened in. I do prefer egg farmers who house their chickens in movable cages (cages move to a different spot of pasture each day; also keeps insects under control), but this type of caging is usually used by small mom and pop operations. Eggs like these are usually found at Farmer's Markets and not in grocery stores.
Bottom line- if you want organic stuff avoid the grocery stores. Buy from small farms where you can meet the farmers and leave the grocery stores for non-foods purchases.
4-20-2011 @11:37AM John said... There are some people who responded to my comments agreeing and some in opposition. That's OK your entitled to what you believe. But to be fair a farmer who has livestock on his property is entitled to take whatever action he deems necessary to provide for their safety. In California the Penal Code, the laws we live by provides that a farmer or owner of livestock which includes chickens may shoot and kill any animal to include some ones prize dog is it is found chasing and attempting to kill the livestock without fear of reprisal from the owner of the dog or any other animal which is attempting to harm his livestock. Also adding supplements to the chickens feed is exactly what the owners of the pultry farms do when they cage and feed the chickens for egg production. They do this to provide you with a healthy product. Now don't misunderstand. I am not in the farmers corner or anyone elses but I do know from experience not what someone has told me. I was raised by a Farmer and His wife, my Father and Mother. I chose not to be a farme but was instead for 31 years a Law Enforcement Officer who had to at times investigate the kiling of someones animal by a Farmer after it had attacked and destroyed the Farmers Livestock, By the way if your animal does damage some else livestock you are liable in California because you violated the Leash Laws and failed to keep your animal from entering some elses property. Like I said in my earlier post an egg is an egg and the color of the shell does not alter or improve the contents one iota. The color of the shell is determined by the breed of the chicken and not the contents of its food or where the food came from. Eggs are an excellent source of protein if you chose not to eat them because of the cholestrol content, That is Your Choice.
4-20-2011 @11:59AM Mark R-B said... John, obviously you've never had an egg from a free range chicken. I have chickens which free range and the eggs I get are nothing like the ones in the stores or at places like Denny's. The eggs I get have deep orange yolks and the flavor will blow you away. I also feed my chickens table scraps and greens, besides the scratch and lay crumbles.
4-20-2011 @11:31AM MarkRB said... I disagree with you, John. I raise chickens on my ten acres...have about 35 and 5 or 6 different coops, with fenced runs. I also let the chickens out in rotation where they can free feed on whatever they find. In addition, I feed them table scraps and greens. The eggs we get are unbelievable....dark orange yolks, great taste. Store bought eggs don't compare....yellow, watery, bland. Not to mention that our chickens actually have great lives. If you've ever taken the time to watch chickens who are allowed to live as chickens and not caged, you'll see that they are interesting animals. I'm not a tree hugger, believe me....but I do believe that the animals that God has provided for us should be treated humanely before we eat them. Those chickens that are kept in a 1' x 1' x 1' cage and never see the daylight except when they are being taken to the slaughter house are pathetic. Besides, I believe it is now a law in CA that all animals have a minimum space to make their existence humane.
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4-20-2011 @2:23PM Denise said... Some of the people here need to look at some of the science on what enzymes, etc. are produced in animals when they are cramped, confined, stressed, etc. Same goes for all animals produced for food - the more humane their death, the "cleaner" the product. I am 69 and also grew up on a small farm - any good farmer then knew this simple fact.