Top Tips from WSPA for Humane Holiday Eats

The folks at the World Society for Protection of Animals sent over this article all about making the best food choices when you put together your holiday meals.

December is a month filled with holiday cookies, cakes, and family feasts with all the fixings. No matter what holiday you celebrate and what foods you prepare, you should appreciate the global impact you can have this season. Making humane choices when shopping for ham or turkey, milk, eggs, and other holiday groceries is a simple yet powerful way to make a difference, reports the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) (EatHumane.org).

According to Cecily West, Executive Director for WSPA U.S., “Understanding food labels and making humane choices for your ham, turkey, eggs and milk can have a substantial impact on not only animal welfare but also the environment.”

Consumers should try to buy the “’best’ brands which include a ‘Certified Humane,’ ‘American Humane Certified,’ or ‘Animal Welfare Approved’ label on the packaging. These ensure that the products did not come from a factory farm. This also means they were not given hormones or non-therapeutic antibiotics, were not continuously confined, and were allowed to engage in natural behaviors.

West further explains, “The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports factory-farmed livestock account for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions. That is more than all transport combined. Most livestock in the U.S. is farmed intensively. Therefore, by making minor changes and choosing certain foods, you can help save animals and our planet. What better time than during the holidays?”

Top Humane Food Tips from WSPA:

* For holiday cookies and cakes use soy milk instead of cow’s milk in recipes.
* Substitute soy milk for cow’s milk in pie crusts and fillings.
* Choose eggs for baking that have a label that says “Certified Humane,” “Cage Free” or “USDA Organic, or opt for an egg substitute product.
* Try frozen non-dairy dessert on top of pies or cakes.
* Substitute soy milk, vegetable broth or water, for cow’s milk in creamy soup recipes.
* Use soy milk instead of cow’s milk in mashed potatoes and in corn and green bean casseroles.
* Substitute “Egg Replacer” for chicken eggs in breads and rolls
* When shopping for a turkey or ham, WSPA says look for these labels: “Pasture Raised,” “USDA Organic,” “American Humane Certified,” “Animal Welfare Approved” or “Certified Humane.”
* Avoid misleading labels like “Natural” or “Naturally Raised.” While “Naturally Raised” ensures animals were not given antibiotics or hormones, this claim does not require that the animals have freedom, fresh air or sunlight. The term “Natural” has no relevance to animal welfare and merely indicates that the product was minimally processed and contains no dyes or preservatives.
* Avoid serving multiple meat entrées. Instead add a meatless entrée choice such as ratatouille, lasagna, vegetable chili or meatless shepherd’s pie.
* Do not add meat (like sausage) to your stuffing. Instead use veggies, fruits or nuts.
* Use vegetable broth in place of turkey or chicken broth for gravies and sauces.

For more information on food labels, humane eating, and WSPA visit www.EatHumane.org or www.WSPA-USA.org.

Through its alliance of over 1,000 animal welfare groups, with at least one member in virtually every country of the world, WSPA is able to work where there is the greatest need to stop animal suffering and cruelty. WSPA is known to take on animal cruelty or suffering issues no other animals welfare group will or can.

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