What is the Certified Humane Certificate Program?
The Certified Humane Certificate Program is an inspection, certification and labeling program designed to ensure that animals raised for food are treated humanely throughout the entire production process. The producers that display the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label on their products have treated their animals humanely at every stage in the food production process.
Click here for the story behind Certified Humane and its administrator, the Humane Farm Animal Care group.
What are the Certified Humane standards?
The Certified Humane Animal Care Standards require that:
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Animals are allowed to engage in their natural behaviors.
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Animals are raised with sufficient space, shelter and gentle handling to limit stress.
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Animals have access to ample fresh water and a healthy diet without added antibiotics or hormones.
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Animals are sufficiently protected from the weather.
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Managers and caretakers are thoroughly trained, skilled and competent in animal husbandry and welfare, and have good working knowledge of their system and the livestock in their care.
Who created the Certified Humane standards?
A team of animal scientists and veterinarians with expertise in farm animal issues created the standards. They reviewed the latest research and consulted already established standards, such as those in use by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in England, and other guidelines recognized for the proper care of animals. Input was also obtained from producers.
What do inspections entail?
Participating businesses must pass an initial inspection as well as annual re-inspection to remain part of the Certified Humane Raised & Handled® program. In order to become certified, farmers and ranchers must meet all of the standards.
Who are the Certified Humane inspectors?
Humane Farm Animal Care�2019;s highly qualified, industry-independent inspectors most often are university professors. All Certified Humane inspectors have a master's degree or higher in Animal Science and/or Veterinary Medicine, and must have extensive experience with the species they are going to inspect. An animal scientist with expertise in dairy cows, for example, will not be sent to inspect poultry. Because inspectors are not HFAC employees, they are impartial toward any facilities they inspect.
Why has the ASPCA chosen to support the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program over other labeling programs?
After reviewing the various humane food labels, the ASPCA determined that the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program meets the highest standards for handling animals raised for food.
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Certified Humane is the only humane labeling program that is ISO Guide 65 certified. This high status is very difficult to achieve. In order to retain its certification, the entire program undergoes a stringent audit each year to prove that the program is, in fact, doing what it claims.
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The Certified Humane program is the only labeling program to cover the complete food processing phase, from birth to slaughter.
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Certified Humane is the only humane labeling program that is supported by the ASPCA and more than 36 other humane organizations.
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The number of producers granted the right to use the Certified Humane label has increased from eight in 2003 to more than 65 by the end of 2009, representing hundreds of farms and millions of animals.
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Consuming Certified Humane products is a viable solution for those concerned about the humane treatment of all animals, yet who do not wish to eliminate meat from their diet.
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Surveys have shown that consumers of all socioeconomic levels and geographic locations are interested in the consumption of Certified Humane products.
How do shoppers know which products are certified?
Producers who are certified under the Certified Humane Certificate Program are authorized to use the Certified Humane Raised & Handled® logo on their packaging. When you see the logo, you can be sure that the products you purchase have met the HFAC�2019;s stringent farm animal welfare standards. If the product does not carry this logo, it is not certified.
Visit certifiedhumane.org for a list of Certified Humane Raised & Handled® producers and products.
If you are a producer and wish to download the application for membership in the Certified Humane Raised & Handled® Program, visit their website.