Why Farm Certification Matters

The American Humane Certified™ label means the farm or facility where the animals were raised has met species-specific welfare standards and passed an independent, third-party audit.

Standards cover living conditions, diet, health care, humane handling and the ability of animals to engage in natural behaviors. The program is grounded in peer-reviewed scientific research and the Five Domains of Animal Welfare

The American Humane Certified Farm Program, launched in 2000, is the first and largest independent farm animal welfare certification in the United States. It has certified more than one billion animals at over 16,000 locations.

Unlike some programs that rely on internal auditors, American Humane Society contracts independent, third-party professionals with hands-on experience in the species they audit.

The program certifies welfare standards for a range of farm animal species, including laying hens, broiler chickens, turkeys, dairy cows, beef cattle, pigs, bison, goats and sheep. Each species has its own set of standards.

Standards are developed by American Humane Society’s Farm Scientific Advisory Committee of leading animal scientists, veterinarians and ethicists. All standards and audit tools are publicly available for download.

Look for the American Humane Certified mark on egg cartons, dairy products and meat packaging. Approximately 90% of cage-free eggs sold in the United States carry the American Humane Certified label.

Products are available at major grocery retailers nationwide. A list of certified producers is available on our website.

Farms apply to the program and undergo a comprehensive, on-site audit conducted by independent, third-party auditors. The audit evaluates compliance with species-specific standards covering space, air and water quality, nutrition, health care and humane handling.

Certified facilities are subject to annual audits, which may be unannounced. American Humane Society also requires continuous improvement over time. Learn more about why farms choose certification.

Yes. All audit tools, full standards and supplemental templates are transparent and available for download on the Farm Certification Standards page. American Humane Society publishes standards for every certified species, along with supporting fact sheets and documentation templates.