The Real Deal: Organic, free range or farm fresh? Here's what the labels mean.

News 12's consumer reporter Janice Lieberman has The Real Deal on whether spending even more on certain types of eggs is worth it.

News 12 Staff

Feb 13, 2023, 12:09 PM

Updated 610 days ago

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Breakfast is costing everyone more these days, with eggs 60% more expensive than a year ago, according to the Consumer Price Index.
News 12's consumer reporter Janice Lieberman has The Real Deal on whether spending even more on certain types of eggs is worth it.
Organic, free range or farm fresh? Here's what the labels mean:
Cage free: The chicks are not in cages, but they aren't necessarily roaming the fields in fresh air. They can be inside and crowded.
Farm fresh: What eggs don't come from a farm? Doesn't mean the hens aren't cooped up in cages. It just means they are fresh, not frozen. But what eggs in a shell come frozen?
Free range: Chickens have an opportunity to see the great outdoors, but it may be a tiny space, and their conditions inside or out can still be crowded.
Natural: Natural does not mean organic. An egg is natural, so what does it really mean? Not much.
Organic: Usually the priciest of them all. The label means the hens are fed food without GMOs and sythetic pesticides. They are not caged, or fed antibiotics, and can congregate outside. But now with the avian flu, it seems like organic prices are competitive or even cheaper than conventional.
If you have a story idea, question or tip, click here to reach out to Janice.