This article is the fourth in a six-part series focused on helping consumers choose products that align with their values.

Of all the products consumers routinely buy, few are as fraught with moral and ecological quandaries as meat. While eschewing animal products entirely is one way to sidestep those issues, it’s a major lifestyle change that only about five percent of Americans have made.

Even so, a 2023 consumer survey found that animal cruelty was the second highest issue of concern (behind “non-toxic”) for American shoppers. “Antibiotic and hormone-free,” which relates to industrial farming practices, ranked third. “Free range/cage-free” also made the list, indicating that even the most-eaten animal earns a bit of compassion from conscious shoppers.

This growing concern now represents nearly 60 percent of U.S. consumers who express heightened concern about animal welfare in the food supply.

Despite this increased awareness, only 33% of grocery shoppers view themselves as well-informed about claims such as hormone/steroid/antibiotic-free, cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised and certified humane. This article is for the 95 percent of shoppers who continue to buy animal products while minimizing the suffering of other species.

Regulated Food Labels

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates meat labeling in the U.S. Many of the legally defined terms have to do with preparation methods and relate more to food safety and quality than animal welfare standards. But people who buy meat should familiarize themselves with the definitions of terms like “no antibiotics” and “no hormones,” which are significant to both food safety and animal well-being.

“Free range” and “free roaming“ labels require producers to demonstrate to the USDA that poultry has access to the outdoors. However, these labels do not guarantee that the birds have actually spent any significant time outside.

“Cage free“ only applies to eggs because chickens grown for their meat aren’t kept in cages. A growing number of states have made cage-free the law. For example, in 2019, Washington state banned the sale of eggs from caged hens and requires hens to be provided with scratch areas, perches, nest areas, and dust bathing areas.

Third-Party Food Labels

The Leaping Bunny Program is a Chinese program to help current certified companies enter the Chinese marketplace while remaining in compliance with cruelty-free standards. This development came after China updated its animal testing policies in March 2021, allowing imported “general cosmetics” like shampoo and makeup to be sold without animal testing.

New technologies are also emerging in animal welfare monitoring. Digital monitoring of animal welfare practices is gaining acceptance, with consumers prioritizing attributes such as animal diets, stress-free environments, humane processing practices, and health conditions.

Product Testing and Cosmetics

Even many meat eaters draw the line at using animals for product safety testing, particularly for luxury products like cosmetics. The cruelty-free cosmetics market is projected to grow from $7.7 billion in 2025 to $13.2 billion by 2032, driven by ethical consumerism and rising vegan trends.

Cosmetics and personal care products remain loosely regulated, meaning most product safety claims such as “Cruelty-Free” or “Not Tested on Animals” have no legal definitions. Look for these independent certifications:

Leaping Bunny: This international certification requires independent audits and indicates that animal testing was not used at any stage of product development.

Beauty Without Bunnies: PETA’s certification system requires companies’ assurance that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests.

Choose Cruelty-Free: This independent, nonprofit organization uses a legally binding contract requiring accredited companies to use products and ingredients that have not been tested on animals.

Countries like India, South Korea, and Australia have joined Europe in banning animal testing for cosmetics, influencing global brands to adopt cruelty-free standards.

Reducing Consumption: Environmental Impact

Not everyone wants to become vegan, and some people have legitimate barriers to adopting a plant-based diet. However, there is clear data indicating that cutting back on meat consumption has concrete environmental and health benefits.

About a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food, with more than 16.5% of greenhouse gases coming from animal agriculture. In 2017, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that total annual emissions from beef production were about 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, roughly 7% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Water usage remains a significant concern. The most widely cited figures suggest it takes around 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of boneless beef, compared to 720 gallons for pork, 660 gallons for goat, and 520 gallons for chicken. However, pasture-based livestock systems use less ground- and surface-water resources and generally rely much more on rainfall than irrigated water.

Beef requires 20 times more land and emits 20 times more GHG emissions per gram of edible protein than common plant proteins, such as beans. The most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the food system is to change what we eat by adopting a more plant-based diet.

Deforestation and Land Use

Meat production often requires extensive grasslands, which is often created by cutting down trees, releasing carbon dioxide stored in forests. During the first two decades of this century, pastureland expansion was the leading direct driver of deforestation. In fact, 90 percent of global soybeans produced annually is used for animal feed, contributing to deforestation pressures.

Making a Difference

Simple changes like adopting Meatless Monday can save 425 gallons of water per person per week and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to driving 348 miles over the course of the year. Buying less meat also makes the cost premium of humane-certified meats more affordable.

The average American eats around 181 pounds of meat annually—nearly three times the global average. Reducing meat consumption can significantly lower individual environmental footprints and add up to a significant national improvement. Buying less meat, which is becoming more expensive in 2025, can narrow the price premium for humane-certified meats, allowing consumers to choose higher-welfare options when they do purchase animal products.

Taking Action In 2025

1. Look for third-party verified certifications rather than relying on marketing claims.
2. Understand that different certifications have different standards: AWA and GAP Steps 4-5 require outdoor access, while others may not.
3. Consider the source: Pasture-raised systems generally have lower environmental impacts than industrial systems.
4. Reduce overall consumption while choosing higher-welfare options when purchasing.
5. Stay informed: Nearly two-thirds of consumers agree that humane treatment of animals raised for food should be a societal concern and a regulatory issue. Conscious shopping based on research is the path to reduce the unnecessary harm to other species.

Read part five of this series: Shopping Your Values: Buy Local

Editor’s Note: Originally published on July 12, 2019, this article was substantially updated in August 2025.