A guide to what's what in the egg aisle of the supermarket.

If you buy free range eggs every time you visit the supermarket, it’s probably because you’re trying to do a good thing. The right thing.

But unfortunately, you might not be making any difference at all.

Wait, wait – we’re not trying to shame you. Because the fact of the matter is, it’s not your fault.

It’s that the labelling and certification around free range eggs in Australia is darn tricksy – and even a dozen eggs that say they’re free range on the carton, might be packing a large number of hens into an uncomfortably small space.

We’ll let this helpful video explain.

So, what eggs CAN you feel good about buying?

It depends on how strict your standards are but consumer watchdog Choice says that buying eggs that are labelled with one of these three logos – FREPAA, RSPCA and AUSTRALIAN CERTIFIED ORGANIC – will ensure good quality eggs that are free-range or produced using cruelty free and ethical means.

 Free Range Egg and Poultry Association of Australia (FREPAA). They allow 750 hens per hectare.

 The RSPCA mainly endorses barn-laid eggs but also free-range farms that meet their criteria – and allow 1500 hens per hectare (or 2500 is they are rotated). They do, however, allow beak trimming, too.

Australian Certified Organic endorses egg farmers that don’t stock more than 1,500 birds per hectare if they are set stocking or up to 2,500 birds per hectare for layers on pasture rotations.

 

 

The Checkout segment above also mentioned Human Choice as a good label to look out for, and allow 1500 hens per hectare.

What kind of eggs do you usually buy?