f o o d
GET
c r a c k in
r ecipes
W H A T ’ S W H A T
A T T H E M A R K E T
c o n v e n t io n a l
These everyday
superm arket eggs com e from hens
raised on large farm s using cage
system s. Feed, water, security, and
tem perature are controlled for
production efficiency.
n u t r ie n t -en r ic h e d
Som e
com m ercially raised hens are fed
specially form ulated feed to enhance
nutrient content in their eggs. These
additional nutrients m ay include
folate, O m ega-3, and lutein.
o r g a n ic
Laying hens are raised
according to USDA organic standards
including being given feed grown
w ithout m ost conventional or
com m ercial pesticides, fungicides,
or fertilizers.
cage-free
Hens are raised indoors in
floor facilities that allow the birds to
roam. The roaming area can be a
building, an open area, or a room with
unlimited access to food and water.
free-range
The USDA has not
established a meaning for this term.
Generally it means the hens have
access to the outdoors. There's no
requirement for the duration or type
of outdoor access the hens are given.
b r o w n vs . w h it e
There is no
nutritional difference between white
and brown eggs. The breed of hen
determ ines shell color— hens with
white feathers lay white eggs and hens
with red feathers lay brown. Since
brown egg layers are slightly larger
birds and need m ore food, brown
eggs are usually m ore expensive.
2 1 4
APRIL 2010
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
