A one-page guide and more in-depth assessment of dozens of label claims (e.g., cage-free, natural, pasture-raised). (Animal Welfare Institute)
BEST CHOICES
These labels feature the highest comprehensive animal care standards, and compliance is verified by a third-party auditing program. This category also contains certified vegan products.
NEXT BEST CHOICES
These labels typically feature lower comprehensive animal care standards, but compliance is verified by a third-party certification program. Labels in this category have standards that require animals to have outdoor access. This category also includes uncertified products labeled as “plant-based.”
FAIR CHOICES
This category includes labels with weaker comprehensive animal welfare standards that are verified by a third-party audit, as well as labels with standards AWI might consider higher welfare, but which are not verified by a third-party audit or accompanied by a certification. Without verification, the level of animal welfare can range from very low to very high for different products under the same label.
SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT
This category represents two types of labels: (1) those with comprehensive animal welfare standards that represent just a slight improvement from conventional industry production and are verified on the farm by a third-party audit, and (2) labels that are relevant to a single practice or aspect of production. Products with these labels are preferred over conventionally produced products that often come from factory farms. This category also includes foods labeled “vegetarian.”
BEWARE OF THESE LABELS
These labels are meaningless or misleading with regard to animal welfare. They may not be meaningless or misleading for other purposes.
Download Guide from Animal Welfare Institute
