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Food manufacturers have attempted to demonize eggs for decades. It is infinitely more profitable to convince the public to eat Egg Beaters and processed vegetable oils than to encourage them to consume the non-patentable perfection that is the egg.
Even folks who see through the marketing hype against eggs that is cleverly disguised as “science” frequently get waylaid by the free range and organic eggs labeling on egg cartons.
The truth is that buying organic, free range eggs from the supermarket or healthfood store is no guarantee that the birds lived a healthy life. What’s more, the eggs may not even be that nutrient dense. You’re safer buying duck eggs or goose eggs as these types of birds are more resistant to industrialized living. Even when domesticated, they eat more closely to their native diet than chickens.
Let’s take a look at why organic chicken eggs are a scam.
Organic Eggs Reality Check #1
Did you know that there are no requirements for the quality or amount of time spent outside for organic eggs or even free range eggs? This means that organic eggs could actually be from hens who get basically no bugs in their diet from pecking in the ground. If the hens don’t get to peck around in the ground for grubs and insects, the eggs they produce will have drastically reduced nutritional value – organic or not.
Organic Eggs Reality Check #2
Did you know that the hens from a free range or organic eggs farm can still have their beaks cut and be subjected to forced molting which involves starving them for 7-14 days which can in some cases kill them?
Organic Eggs Reality Check #3
Organic eggs marked as “cage free” does not mean that the hens have access to the outdoors or even daylight! The hens could actually be running around inside with artificial lighting on a concrete floor and the eggs still qualify as cage free!
The only way to get truly healthy eggs where you can be sure the hens are not abused is to buy local from a farmer you trust, not organic eggs from the store!
There is no way around this folks that I have found. You must start connecting with the people in your community if you really want to source some decent eggs!
Folks in my buying club regularly tell me how shocked they are when they run out of the eggs sourced locally and buy a carton of organic eggs from the store how puny, pathetic and bland tasting they are. They are also incredibly expensive.
Not only will you more than likely save yourself some money buying eggs locally, you will also be helping a local business remain viable and improving the nutrient density of your diet all at the same time!
Organic eggs most definitely does not always mean better!
Need more egg recipes once you’ve found a quality local source? Try these breakfast egg ideas, easy lunch egg recipes, and dinner egg recipes for inspiration!
Below is a fantastic infographic on the reality behind the egg industry created by Kristin Lindquist. What factoids did you find most alarming?
More Information
Best Egg Substitute (plus Video)
Organic Store Eggs Just Don’t Stack Up
What Oxidizes the Cholesterol in Eggs?
Think You Have Fresh Eggs? Here’s How to Tell
ugh. I prefer to stay away from GMO feed and the latest scare of arsenic in chicken feed. the organic store-bought eggs are the same price as organic local eggs (if they were to be found easily here)!
What if you have no choice to buy from a store? Lately all these posts on how why we should do this and that. We all don’t live in farm country and do what we can by purchasing organic, range free eggs from the store because we have to.
The only satisfaction I get from buying organic eggs in the US is that the corn they consume is GMO free corn… Store brought eggs are also heavily washed .. Farm eggs are sold for pet consumption only because they haven’t been washed In a solution that’d kill salmonella… Their feed still needs to be GMO free! European eggs are not washed.. But hens from store eggs in the UK are vaccinated for salmonella.. Unwashed eggs do not need to be refrigerated (making them great for baking!)
Some of your readers (myself included) aren’t allowed to have chickens, by law. Why not suggest local Amish suppliers? That’s where I get my eggs.
I buy vital farms or handsome brook farm eggs at Wholefoods. I’m happy to see they’re level 5 eggs :)) With the amount of money they cost- it’s a relief to see that they’re quality.
Sarah, you have chickens???
I dont think im close to a farm here in cali…
I mean this in a nice way I promise…. don’t waste your money on organic
Recently I was able to find a local source for farm eggs, but almost every egg in the 2 dozen I’ve purchased so far had blood spots in the yolk :-/ I’ve done a google search, but can’t seem to find consistent answers from reputable sources. Any info as to why this would happen? I’ve noticed it in organic store eggs too, but very rarely.
blood spots are present in eggs usually is an inherited trait, this does not harm the eggs or the value, or nutritional value of the egg. It is quite disturbing to see but will not harm you. Usually the hens that produce these are culled. But sometimes especially if bought locally fresh hard sometimes to find out which hen is responsible. Because they are running loose and not in a cage, can’t tell who did it. LOL
Wow…once you try to follow the healthy, organic plan you bust the bubble once again. What do you do if your only option is supermarket organic free range eggs?