Free-range eggs in Aussie supermarkets not up to standard
An investigation of major supermarket chains in Australia has found the majority of eggs labelled free-range fail to meet standards endorsed by the CSIRO.
The investigation, conducted by Fairfax, surveyed products in five supermarkets including two Woolworths stores, two Coles and an IGA, and found that out of the 30 products labelled as ‘free-range’ by the vendors, only three met CSIRO standards.
The CSIRO’s voluntary code regarding the definition of ‘free-range’ eggs recommends a maximum of 1,500 birds per hectare for an egg to be called free range.
Government standards on the other hand are a little different. The consumer affairs minister has stated that farms housing 10,000 hens per hectare can be called ‘free-range’.
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE states that only eggs produced in conditions meeting CSIRO standards can be considered genuine free-range eggs.
"When it comes to free range, the supermarkets have let down consumers and genuine free range farmers over many years," CHOICE spokesperson Tom Godfrey told Fairfax.
What’s your take on the free-range egg definition? Do you think it’s wrong for eggs derived from hens in conditions of 10,000 hens per hectare to be called free-range?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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