The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) supports truthful and non-misleading labeling of animal-derived human food products that meets the following criteria:
Claims on labels regarding production practices should be clear, unambiguous, scientifically valid, and verifiable.
Production practices specified in marketing programs and referenced by labels should not adversely diminish the health and welfare of the animals or increase the food safety risks of food products produced from these programs. Marketing entities should have safeguards and policies in place to ensure that specified production practices (such as restrictions on the use of approved animal drugs, including antibiotics) do not encourage managers to withhold needed treatment of sick animals or to refrain from seeking veterinary assistance when it otherwise would be indicated.
Labels that state or imply claims of advantages for reduced food safety risks or improved animal welfare conditions compared to alternative production practices or methods should be based on verifiable scientific evidence supporting those enhanced claims.
= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
