• Egg question illustrates why confusion exists with organic and conventional methods

  Filed under Nutrition
  Apr 19

  I was asked a simple question,  “are organic eggs better for you than conventional eggs? My husband isn’t on board with making the switch.  He doesn’t see the difference.”   I thought, oh, this will be an easy question to answer.  I’ll gather facts about organic and conventional eggs and the answer will be obvious.

  When sifting through the politics, economics and mass production processes of our food chain, validating claims proved to be nearly impossible.   I recognized the challenges of being a truly informed consumer.

  Survival Point #1:  Question everything you read! Opinions written and spoken are made without consideration of proven facts.   

  • What does “many” studies mean?
  • How was the study funded?
  • What was the sampling size?
  • What were the assumptions, constants and variables?
  • Is the point backed up by the paper or a small fact taken away from the whole picture?
  • How do you determine trust with a source?
  • Is this finding applicable to other foods?

  My first approach was to question the nutrient density of each type of egg? Please set aside all other arguments (Feed, environment, sanitation, medication, chicken well-being, pesticides or other toxins etc…) at the moment. This report is strictly concerning nutrient density.  There are very few studies on eggs.  Data is inconclusive.

  From a 2008 report called “Organic produce and production system conformity assessments” three studies covered housing methods of chickens as well as organic practices (in one particularly), the conclusion was that

  “there is no data on eggs readily available and methods on egg authentication using isotope analysis have not been scientifically peer-reviewed, for future work on the analytical authentication of eggs originating from conventional and organic production systems, a survey is recommended on products from selected farms with different forms of cultivation for which the production conditions are known.” ¹

  Survival Point #2:  Food labeling is deceptive, be a savvy shopper!

  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has multiple programs in place to regulate agricultural practices.  How companies and farmers interpret and comply with the definitions is where the consumer must make informed decisions by researching and knowing what the programs are and how they are enforced.

  What a term implies does not reflect how the practice materializes:

  Conventional (i.e., no special label) –Strict standards are in place for those participating in the USDA voluntary regulator program.  Animals are in very close proximity in individual cages .  This article shows what is expected of the egg process,   Focus on Shell Eggs.

  Free Range or Free Roaming– Producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside.² Without any regulatory standards, the concept is open to the interpretation of the company or farmer.

  Cage Free – There is no regulation on what this term means by the USDA.  Therefore, the assumption is that animals have more room.  In practice, the “humane” picture of healthy hens not encased in a cage is not quite what most people envision.

  Pastured—Not defined by USDA and is a term typically used by smaller farmers.  Speaking with the farmer or visit the farm will validate the claim.

  Organic – As defined and regulated by USDA for all animals and products.  Most organically fed packages are also vegetarian mixes. As a side note, chickens are not vegetarians, so by feeding them organic materials does not mean their natural diet is being replicated.

  Natural: A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed (a process which does not fundamentally alter the raw product) may be labeled natural. The label must explain the use of the term natural (such as – no added colorings or artificial ingredients; minimally processed).²

  No hormones (pork or poultry): Hormones are not allowed in raising hogs or poultry. Therefore, the claim “no hormones added” cannot be used on the labels of pork or poultry unless it is followed by a statement that says “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”²

  A term may sound “good or healthy,” but be prepared to dig a little deeper.   If animal treatment and conditions are important to you, then research the company you buy eggs from to validate the claim.  An excellent analysis of commonly used terms on egg cartons can be found in this article, Egg Labels and Certifications detailed anaylsis.

  What egg is nutritionally superior?

  I found strong evidence that pastured eggs are more nutritional than all “other” eggs.   Through Fitness Spotlight,  the following list of nutrient values was derived from one specific study, Tests Reveal Healthier Eggs.   The “Mounting Evidence” section contained  6 additional sources to validate the claims, a numerical chart was even included, Egg Chart.

  • 1/3 less cholesterol
  • 1/4 less saturated fat
  • 2/3 more vitamin A
  • 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
  • 3 times more vitamin E
  • 7 times more beta carotene
  • 4 to 6 times as much vitamin D

  Survival Tip #3:  Decide what is important in making your food choices.

  People are motivated for multiple reasons in making their food choices beyond nutrition.

  • Experiences: “I’m healthy and doing just fine.”
  • Cost: A conventional dozen of egg averages about a $1.28.  An organic/cage free/free range dozen averages $4.00.  Local farms anywhere from 2.50 to 5.00 a dozen (in quick comparison of the local Nashville Market).
  • Humanitarian treatment of chickens
  • Guilt: What am I doing to my family? Are we eating right?  Is this healthy?  Re-frame your thoughts around your overall health goals:  Are you providing real foods with substance?  If the choice is a pop tart or processed, salty, sugary food, then what is the scale of difference in eating an egg from a conventional, organic, or pastured environment?
  • Personal Health: Due to the synergistic affect of diet, activity level, stress, genetics and more, it is extremely difficult to try to make a connection between the egg’s current nutrient content being a direct result of bad health.
  • Group Think: “Everyone else in my circle of friends is switching from conventional (or eating conventional) eggs, so it must be the thing to do.”

  What do you do?

  1. Evaluate your priorities and what is most important to you?
  2. Educate yourself with a cynical and detached mindset.  It is easy to find answers that support your assumptions (take the coffee drinking and nondrinking crowds for example).  But are the answers upheld by a truth test – not emotion and what “sounds” right?
  3. What are you not willing to sacrifice?
  4. Own your decision—move on and enjoy eating.

  What are your options in purchasing eggs?

  • Local farmer’s market, farms, Co-Ops or CSAs
    • Start asking around and speak with the farmers.
    • Localharvest.org.  Plug in your zip code and start exploring!
    • Local Table magazine (for Nashville area).  Pick up around town for free.
  • Research the companies in your local grocery market including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods (do not assume ALL the items in these stores are “real” foods or good for you.)

  Summary:

  Based on nutritional value, organic eggs are not ‘better’ than conventional eggs, but pastured are nutritionally superior.  The rest of your decision depends on personal convictions, budget, toxicity levels, animal treatment and external pressures.  The reasons for your decision are yours to make.  I’ve presented the facts with nuggets of arguments from both sides.  The tools are a spring board to help you make a more informed decision and not accept claims at face value.

  Education is Key!

  Cindy

  P.S.  Do you have a question about a current trend, food choice or advice that prevents you for making a lifestyle change?  I will be your detective and present the material in a non-judgmental, factual manner.  The answer will not come quickly.  It took me close to four months to compile the evidence for this article, but I promise to paint the most comprehensive picture to frame your decisions.

  *     *     *     *     *

  1:  S.M. van Ruth en L.A.P. Hoogenboom (2008) Organic produce and production system conformity assessments: eggs and isotope analysis.  (25).  The three studies (pg 3) are:

  1. Lambing (1992) reported a comparative study on genetically identical but differently kept hens. The eggs showed differences in the contents of protein, lecithin and total carotenoid contents.
  2. Schlatterer and Breithaupt (2006) evaluated commercial eggs which were divided in groups according to the in the EU used classification to rearing method: ecological, free range, barn, cage…Concentrations of the compounds in ecological eggs were significantly different from those determined in the eggs of the other classes.
  3. A third study reported in literature dealt with quality characteristics of eggs from different housing systems and included organic eggs (Hidalgo et al., 2008). The authors concluded that in their study, which included 41 physical and chemical parameters on 28 eggs, organic eggs had the highest whipping capacity and foam consistency but the lowest albumen quality. 2

  2:  USDA Meat & Poultry Labeling Terms:  An list of terms filled with valuable information to understand what is being regulated and defined.
  Tagged as: choice, conventional, eggs, food, organic, pastured
  
  4 Comments

4 Responses to “Egg question illustrates why confusion exists with organic and conventional methods”

1. 

   James Boulie said on April 19th, 2010 at 9:08 pm

   I’ve been eating vegetarian fed eggs for a long time (for omega-3s), and never once did I think about what hens naturally eat. Very interesting.

   I’ve never noticed pastured eggs, but I’ll be looking for them next time.

   Thank you!

2. 

   Amanda said on April 20th, 2010 at 6:11 am

   cindy i hav studies that i’d love to send you! email me and i’ll reply w/ them attached!

3. 

   Molly said on April 20th, 2010 at 6:46 am

   Thanks for the info, Cindy!! Tireless research DOES pay off–we will look for pastured eggs, or maybe get a chicken and pasture it ourselves

4. The battle of the eggs–organic, conventional or pastured? - Go Workout Mom said on June 22nd, 2010 at 4:33 am

   [...] When sifting through the politics, economics and mass production processes of our food chain, validating claims proved to be nearly impossible.   I recognized the challenges of being a truly informed consumer. Click here to continue reading… [...]

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