Buy Meat Products with the "Certified Humane Raised & Handled" Logo

It should be a law that all farm animals are raised in humane conditions. Unfortunately that is not the case. Even products that state they are free range are not always treating the farm animals humanely. How is a person supposed to know which meat products to buy? How is a person supposed to know which companies to believe about the humane treatment of their farm animals? Now there is a way to know. The Certified Humane Raised & Handled certification program ensures that the meat products you buy, have been raised in a humane manner. These products are labeled with the Certified Humane Raised & Handled Logo. You can see a picture of the logo here: http://www.certifiedhumane.com/default.html

HFAC which stands for Humane Farm Animal Care is the non profit organization that started this labeling system. They are supported by many animal welfare organizations including the ASPCA, HSUS and MSPCA. They came up with this independent certification and labeling system so that consumers can make an informed choice about the purchase of meat products. The progam certifies meat, poultry, dairy and egg products.

Any farmer can qualify to be in the program as long as they meet certain qualifications. Some of the qualifications they must meet are:

Allowing animals to engage in their natural behaviors.
Raising animals with sufficient space, shelter and gentle handeling to limit stress.
Making sure they have ample fresh water and a healthy diet without antibiotics or hormones.
Caretakers must be trained and knowledgebale in animal welfare practicies.
Processors must comply with high standards of slaughter to insure humane treatment.

For a full list of qualifications that farm producers must meet, you can go to http://www.certifiedhumane.org/fact_sheets.html

Farm animal producers must go through an initial and annual inspection to obtain certification in the Certified Humane Raised & Handled program. Inspectors are trained individuals who are qualified in relative fields such as vetinary medicine.

You can find a list of stores that carry Certified Humane Raised & Handled products at http://www.certifiedhumane.com/where.asp

If you would like your local store or resturaunt to carry these certified humane products, you can get a sample request letter at http://www.certifiedhumane.com/letters.html

Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream and Wolfgang Pucks will only use cage free eggs. Wolfgang Puck has announced that he will only use cage free eggs certified by the Certified Humane Raised & Handled logo. Demand is rising for humane meat, poultry, dairy and egg product by people and resteraunts. The prices are still higher for these products, but as demand increases, prices will drop to comparable rates to inhumane products.

What can you do to help? Make your voice heard. Let your grocers and resteraunts know that you demand their meat, poultry, dairy and egg products be certified by the Certified Humane Raised & Handled program. When grocers and resteraunts realize that consumers desire these products, they will carry them. Another way you can help is by donating money to HFAC Humane Farm Animal Care non profit corporation. Your donation will help HFAC spread the word about humane alternatives to factory farming. You can make online donations or you can donate through the mail. You can find donation information at this site. http://www.certifiedhumane.com/donate.html