How to Be a Conscious Eater: Making Food Choices That Are Good for You, Others, and the Planet

These labels are among the most important signifiers of superior social, animal welfare, or environmental considerations.

Certified Organic or USDA Organic

This certification prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics. On a label for a processed food product, it means that at least 95 percent of the ingredients are certified organic.

Animal Welfare Approved

Animals used for meat, dairy, and eggs were raised on family farms and free to “engage in their natural behaviors.” A full list of practices encapsulated in this label can be found at greenerchoices.org.

Certified Humane Raised and Handled

Chickens and pigs get comfy bedding and clean litter, there are no small cages prohibiting free movement, and the most concerning physical alterations (like docking pig tails) are prohibited, though some are allowed. For the most part, slaughter standards of animals are higher than industry norms.

Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Certified

This certification prohibits the use of cages or crates, growth hormones, animal by-products in feed, antibiotics (except for chickens), and the practice of physical alteration. It requires that animals have an enriched environment and enhanced outdoor access. This is the highest rating available.

American Grassfed

The cow—or goat, lamb, or bison—really ate only grass or other plants (or hay, which is dried grass, in winter). The exception is when they (rightfully) had milk from their mother before they were weaned. It also means the animal was raised only on pasture, so they didn’t experience cruel confinement in feedlots or receive antibiotics or growth hormones, and they were born and raised on American family farms.

PCO Certified 100% Grassfed

The cow really ate only grass or forage (or hay in winter). This label applies to beef and dairy products specifically. Healthy diets of dairy cows yield many benefits similar of those to beef cattle, and the FDA doesn’t regulate the definition of grass-fed for dairy products, so this label is particularly helpful.

Seafood Watch “Best Choice,” “Good Alternative,” and “Avoid” Labels

These are not included on fish products, but free, downloadable guides are available as is a mobile app. “Best” means the fish are caught or farmed using methods that are minimally damaging to marine life. “Good” means they’re fine for you to buy, but some issues have been identified with how they were caught or farmed. “Avoid” means they’re caught or farmed in harmful ways and/or they are over-fished.