> If I remember right, a large part of the problem
> with the information is our USDA's definition of free range and natural
> meats. Free range, by their definition, doesn't mean access to outside,
> pasture, or even fresh air. Its only space requirements. We have a feed
> company on the west side of our county that feeds 26,000 "free range" hens.
> These birds are in exactly the same house the caged layers were in. The
> only difference is they are now on wire flooring rather than in cages. And
> I think to put natural on a USDA label, you only have to have minimally
> proccessed the birds and not put as many additives in the bird in the
> proccession plant. It has nothing to do with the production practices.
> There is also a contractor selling "Amish natural" chickens from my area.
> These birds are raised in identical confinement barns as the "non natural"
> birds.
Greg & Lei, or others, do you have any specific references for the
USDA/FDA definition of "free range" or "natural" with respect to animals?
For instance, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) citations?
(It's easy to say "I think this is what it means," but the Internet is
rife with thought and opinion; I like citations, too.)
Thanks. -Rob
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
T. Robert Fetter trf@student.umass.edu
Ag. & Resource Economics
U. of Mass - Amherst "We are each poets and painters,
Class of '99 bricklayers and revolutionaries.
But we are all mapmakers..."
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