Organic eggs are eggs laid by hens that were allowed access to the outdoors and given organic feed to eat. Due to the extra steps taken to produce organic eggs, the price is typically much higher than factory eggs. You should review the pros and cons of organic eggs to determine if the eggs are worth the extra money.
Benefits
The main benefit of organic eggs is that the hens are kept in more humane conditions. Factory hens are kept in small cages and crowded with other hens. To be certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture, the eggs must come from hens that are not kept in cages and only consume organic feed that has not been produced from grains that have been treated with chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The hens must also not be given any antibiotics or drugs to receive the organic seal from the USDA.
Concerns
One concern with organic eggs is that the hens may be exposed to higher levels of environmental contaminants. According to a 2006 study found in the "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research" journal, free range chickens are more likely than factory and cage hens to be exposed to environmental toxins such as dioxins and PCBs. It is believed the higher levels come from the hens being able to roam and peck freely instead of being in confinement like factory hens.
Significance
According to a July 2010 study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, there is no substantial difference between organic and factory eggs. Physical and compositional differences were not noted between the eggs. Quality was measured using Haugh units to determine how much thick albumen was found in each egg. The more thick albumen, the more nutritious the egg is considered.
Considerations
The United States Department of Agriculture does not regulate certain labels placed on eggs. If you wish to buy organic, look for the label that states "USDA-Certified Organic." Free-range eggs mean that the hens had some access to the outdoors. Eggs that are labeled cage-free mean that the hens did not live in cages, but instead open areas where they were allowed to roam. Since "cage-free" and "free-range" labels are not regulated by the USDA, farmers can use them as they see fit.
References
- "Time" Magazine; Organic Eggs: More Expensive, but No Healthier; Jeffrey Kluger; July 8, 2010
- EurekAlert; ARS Study Eyes Egg Quality and Composition; July 7, 2010
- HelpGuide: Organic Foods
- EggLand's Best: Cage Free & Organic Egg Varieties
- "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research"; Contamination of free-range chicken eggs with dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls; G Schoeters and R Hoogenboom; October 2006
