A shopper's guide to buying eggs

Beyond the choice of white or brown, there are many other options when it comes to chicken eggs. But do you really know what you're buying? Here's a quick primer to all those labels.

Pick up a carton eggs at the grocery store and chances are it will list one of more of the terms below. But what do they all mean? Read on to decode the jargon.

• Food authorities and experts say that hens have not been fed artificial preservatives and hormones since the 1950s.
• By law, eggs can't be sold to the public if hens have been given antibiotics.

• Up to 5,000 hens may be kept in a large barn divided into pens.
• Most are usually kept under artificial lighting.
• The hens have room to spread their wings, bathe in dust, perch and scratch for food – in other words, to practice natural habits.
• The practice of beak trimming (standard in conventional chicken farming) is limited.

• Although there is no formal definition of free-range eggs, in theory it means that the hens are allowed to roam outside from daylight to dusk. They also have unrestricted access to food and water.

• For eggs to have this label, all hens must consume a diet enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, typically from ground flaxseed or fish oil.
• The hens will then go on to produce eggs with a higher content of omega-3 essential fatty acids.

• In order for eggs to be considered organic, accreditation from a nationally certified body is needed.
• This ensures all the hens are fed with certified organic grain and the eggs are not contaminated with any chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

• For eggs to be in this category, hens are fed a diet that contains no meat or meat by-products. They are usually caged so that their diet can be controlled.

• For eggs to be considered vitamin-enriched, extra vitamins have been added to the hens' diet.
• Because eggs are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, this is largely unnecessary.

Ultimately, the type of eggs you choose will depend on your preferences, but it's worthwhile to learn the lingo so that you can make an informed decision.

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