Green This, Not That: Simple Swaps for a Healthy Thanksgiving

"Turkeys labeled USDA Organic meet specific requirements of organic farming. Turkeys carrying this label may not receive antibiotics, arsenic compounds, or animal byproducts, and must eat 100% organic feed. The animals must have access to the outdoors or pasture, and GMOs are prohibited. You do have a choice when shopping, so why not buy a turkey that was raised as healthy food, not an industrial product? Purchase an organic turkey from a local farm or farmers' market and familiarize yourself with these labels:"

""Pasture Raised" is not a regulated certification, but it may indicate that these turkeys were raised on pasture rather than indoors. Continuous outdoor area that is covered with growing vegetation, and at least 4 square feet per bird Beak cutting and forced molting, the latter involving starving the birds, are not allowed Animals' diets cannot contain meat or animal byproducts"

USDA Organic turkeys cannot receive antibiotics, arsenic compounds, or animal byproducts and must eat 100% organic feed. Organic birds must have outdoor or pasture access and GMOs are prohibited. "Pasture Raised" is not a regulated certification but may indicate pasture access; such birds should have continuous outdoor vegetation and at least four square feet per bird. Beak cutting and forced molting are not allowed and diets must exclude meat or animal byproducts. Growth hormones are banned and animals must be insensible before slaughter. Antibiotics for meat birds are allowed only under veterinary treatment and must be cleared before slaughter. Labels like "hormone-free", "natural", "pastured", and conventional meat do not meet the same standards or inspections as USDA Organic; free-range is regulated to require outdoor access.

Read at Earth911