Some Food Labels Are Meaningless

SEATTLE - If given the choice, would you buy a package of chicken that says it's "hormone-free" or one that doesn't say anything about that on the label?

Ready for this -- It doesn't matter!

"We call those labels truthful, but meaningless," says Urvashi Rangan, a senior scientist with Consumer Reports.

That's because USDA regulations prohibit poultry growers from giving hormones to their birds. So all chicken is hormone free.

It's like slapping a "cholesterol-free sticker" on a fruit or vegetable. "Those products simply don't have cholesterol to begin with," Rangan points out. "So while it's truthful, it's not particularly meaningful and no matter what, it isn't worth any more money."

Remember, a hormone-free chicken can still be fed antibiotics to speed growth. If you see a "certified organic" label on the package, you can be sure chicken was raised without these drugs.

For More Information:

Behind the Labels -- www.consumerreports.org

Read Herb's article on Food Labels