Listen to the full episode of this Vegan Bytes podcast episode here:
https://veganbytes.podbean.com/e/unmasking-humanewashing-the-deception-behind-humane-meat-labels/
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome to Vegan Bytes, where we crunch down complex vegan topics into bite-sized pieces. Today, we're peeling back the label on the meat industry's deceptive practices.
Picture this: You're at the supermarket, and you see a meat product with a label showing a picturesque farm and claims of 'humanely raised' animals. Sounds good, right? Well, not so fast. This could be a classic case of 'humanewashing'.
According to a report by the Animal Welfare Institute, the USDA, which regulates meat labels in the U.S., approves these claims but doesn't inspect farms to verify them. Instead, they rely on information from the producers themselves. That's like asking the fox to guard the henhouse!
The report analyzed 97 approved label claims on 76 meat products from 2013-2021. It found that the USDA lacks specific standards to assess these claims. Producers are asked to provide an explanation and supporting documentation, but there's no clear criteria for what counts as 'humane' or 'sustainable'.
In fact, producers often define these terms themselves. So, a producer might claim their animals are 'humanely raised' because they're antibiotic-free, while ignoring other aspects of animal care. And the USDA usually approves these claims, no matter how they're defined.
The report also found that 85% of the claims were approved without appropriate evidence. In some cases, the USDA couldn't even provide any applications for these claims.
This lack of transparency and consistency is a big problem. Surveys suggest that 80% of consumers are against the USDA's practice of allowing producers to use high-welfare claims without having to prove they exceed industry standards.
So, what's the solution? The report recommends third-party certification that surpasses conventional standards, and regular audits every 15 months.
In the meantime, remember: not everything that glitters is gold. Or in this case, not every 'humane' label is as it seems.
That's all for today's episode of Vegan Bytes. Stay informed, stay vegan, and remember, our vegan AI marketing tool, VEG3, is here to help you navigate the world of veganism. Until next time!