Investigation Into Egg Labeling Sought
By Patrick Condon
Associated Press
Published August 25, 2004
DES MOINES, Iowa—The Better Business Bureau is asking federal regulators
to investigate the egg industry over a labeling campaign the organization contends
misleads consumers into thinking hens are treated humanely.
The bureau said Wednesday that it has asked the Federal Trade Commission to
probe United Egg Producers, the industry's largest trade group, over its "Animal
Care Certified" logo.
The logo adorns cartons containing eggs from hens that are confined in tiny
cages, have their beaks clipped and are forcibly starved, the bureau said in
a statement.
"It conveyed the message to consumers that the eggs...were produced by
hens raised under caring and humane conditions when that was not the case,"
the statement said.
Mitch Head, spokesman for Atlanta-based United Egg Producers, said the group
will defend its logo. He said the Animal Care Certified standards do guarantee
better conditions for chickens than in the past—a fact that even opponents
have acknowledged.
The issue arose after a complaint from Compassion Over Killing, an animal rights
group.
Bureau officials said referring such complaints to federal regulators is a
rare step.
David Mallen, assistant director of legal affairs for the bureau's National
Advertising Division, said labeling any kind of product as "certified"
is a powerful message and one that consumers need to be able to rely on.
While the bureau can reach only voluntary agreements with companies, the FTC
can order the industry to stop using the certified logo.
Head said egg producers improved conditions voluntarily and are now being penalized.
"If this is what happens to those who try to do the right thing, what
impetus is it for the rest of animal agriculture to come forward and develop
their own standards, if all they're going to do is get shot at by animal activists?"
Head said.
On the Net:
United Egg Producers: http://www.unitedegg.org/
Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division: http://www.nadreview.org/
Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov/
Compassion Over Killing: http://www.cok.net/
© Associated Press 2004
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