BC SPCA says ‘free-run’ chicken isn’t what you think

If you are led to buy more expensive chicken breasts labelled “free run,” the BC SPCA says step away.

According to humane products marketing specialist Tianna Gauvreau, all chickens raised for meat in Canada are “free run” and “cage free.”

Gauvreau herself realized consumers probably aren’t aware of this, when her butcher attempted to sell her “free run” chicken at a higher price than conventional chicken.

“If I did not work in farm animal welfare, I would not have known that I was being misled,” Gauvreau said. “I would have thought I was buying better meat that came from a happier chicken.”

In contrast, more than 90 per cent of egg-laying hens are raised in small, barren battery cages. So, although cage-free and free run are important terms to look for when buying eggs, they are meaningless when applied to chicken meat, with companies aim to charge customers more by pulling on their heart strings.

“Chicken labelled as ‘free run’ or ‘cage-free’ is misleading,” Gauvreau said. “It takes advantage of consumers’ good intentions while falsely implying high animal welfare.”

Consumers who come across these types of misleading claims can file formal complaints directly with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and their local grocer or butcher.

“Labels should make shopping easier, not harder,” Gauvreau continued. “My plan is to look for animal welfare certifications so that I know my food meets my values.”

Consult the BC SPCA’s food labelling guide for more information on other food labelling claims on their website.