Egg labels explained

Organic eggs 

Producers meet animal health and welfare standards such as minimum space requirements and provisions for nest boxes, perches and litter. They use 100% organic feed and provide hens with access to the outdoors for a least 1/3 of their life, weather permitting. Organic eggs are third-party audited and regulated by Canadian Organic Standards and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Certified Humane eggs 

Free access to nutritious feed throughout each day is required. Area must allow hens to forage and dust bathe in a barn raised or free-range environment. At least one nest box for every 5 hens is provided. Perches must be provided. Outdoor access is required if the eggs are labelled “free range”. Certified Humane eggs conform to a higher standard of animal welfare standard and are also third-party audited.

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW eggs

Similar to Certified Humane, outdoor access is required. The hens must have natural light and receive at least 8 hours of darkness. The hens must have a separate space when injured or sick to recuperate.

Free range eggs

Free range hens can move freely within a barn and are given access to the outdoors, weather permitting. Standard practice is to provide nest boxes. Hens may also be provided with perches and litter for dust bathing.

Free range chickens given access to the outdoors. (Photo: Sonja Filitz / Shutterstock)

Cage-free eggs

“Cage-free” is a catch-all term for any system without cages, which would include eggs such as organic, free range and free-run. 

Furnished cage eggs

Sometimes called “Nestlaid” or “Comfort Coop Eggs” hens in furnished cages have access to nest areas and perches. Conditions are still crowded and do not allow for the opportunity to perform most natural behaviours. Access to nest boxes may be limited as hens compete for space.

Omega-3 eggs

Hens are fed a diet that is supplemented with a source of omega-3 fatty acids, often flax seed. Omega-3 eggs are from caged hens unless specified on the label as coming from a cage-free system.

Standard eggs

Also known as conventional eggs. Hens are raised in cages without access to nest boxes, perches or litter. Conditions are crowded and do not allow for the opportunity to perform natural behaviour.

A standard/conventional farm where hens are raised in crowded cages. (Photo: sergey kolesnikov / Shutterstock)

Food labels can be overwhelming but understanding them is key to making informed and humane choices. Download our guide to learn what these labels really mean and how they impact farmed animals.