Truthful and nonmisleading human food labeling
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.
- Animal health, animal welfare, and food safety must not be compromised in pursuit of associated label claims.
- Labeling programs must have safeguards and policies in place to ensure that specified production practices (such as restrictions on the use of approved animal drugs, including antibiotics) require producers provide medically necessary treatment, under the direction of a veterinarian, for sick or injured animals.
- Labels that state or imply a claim (such as increased food safety, superior animal welfare, decreased carbon footprint, regenerative agricultural practices, or enhanced nutritional content) should be based on verifiable scientific evidence that is readily available and supports the claims.
- Consumers should be aware that a label claim is not in itself an indication of practices that are beneficial to animal health, animal welfare, or the environment.