Hi everyone,
Free range eggs are pretty much available everywhere these days, which is a good thing. What you may not realise is that there is a vast difference between the CSIRO definition of free range and the one fixed by the government. The draft CSIRO code, which is endorsed by the RSPCA, states free-range hens should be stocked at no more than 1500 a hectare unless regularly rotated. This standard gives hens plenty of space to roam. According to CHOICE only eggs that meet this standard should be considered truly free-range. However the government standard is 10,000 hens per hectare. Most of the free range eggs on offer at supermarkets fall outside of the CSIRO draft code. The good news is that new national laws to be introduced shortly will force producers to label their outdoor stocking density.
To take the guesswork out of buying “real” free range eggs, CHOICE has developed the CluckAR app. With the app, you simply point your phone at the top of the egg carton and it will tell you whether or not it’s free-range. It will also let you know how good its free range claims are.
To download the app, search for CluckAR at your Apple or Google Play store.
To find out more go to:
https://www.choice.com.au/consumer-advocacy/campaigns/free-range-egg-labelling
Source: Free range? It’s all a bit scrambled, The Sunday Age, 5th June 2016, pg. 12
Download the CluckAR app and make sure what you’re buying are real free range eggs.
Many thanks
Lila
Resource Management Specialist,
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