Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/346601
Ifyou'veever stood in the su- permarket won- dering if pay- ing more for chicken that is free-range, an- tibiotic-free, no hormones added, farm-raised, nat- ural and organic makes you a better per- son, you are not alone. Recently, as I was doubting myself on my chicken choices, I decided to get to the bottom of what all of this really means. It's not at all what I thought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a cab- inet-level agency that oversees the regulation of food-grade chicken and is responsible for the claims on packaging and labels. And despite all of the hype and fluff, there is only one label ("organic") that guarantees specific standards and for which you might consider pay- ing more. Briefly here is what all of it means — or doesn't mean — according to the USDA. Free-range. There is no specific definition for free-range. For sure, it does not mean, "run- ning free to forage for grubs and grain on acres of rolling green pasture- land." The USDA gener- ally allows this term if chickens have access to the outdoors for "at least part of the day," which could mean a matter of a few minutes, whether that chicken chooses to go outdoors or not. A sin- gle open door at one end of a huge chicken ware- house meets this defini- tion of free-range. Even so, fewer than 1 percent of chickens nationwide are raised as "free range." Cage-free. This means not housed in cages. It does not mean roam- ing happily in large open areas. "Cage-free" can mean crammed together in an indoor henhouse and given very little room to breathe or be their chicken selves. Natural. Under USDA regulations, a "natural" product has no artifi- cial ingredients or chem- ical preservatives. Most ready-to-cook chicken can be labeled "natural," if processors choose to do so. No hormones added. This label is meaningless be- cause federal reg- ulations prohibit use of hormones in chicken. Period. Any cut or brand of chicken can be la- beled "raised with- out hormones." However, if the processor chooses to say that on the label, it must also clearly state that no hormones are used in the produc- tion of any poultry al- lowed for consumption in the U.S. Antibiotic-free or raised without antibiot- ics. This means that the flock was raised without the use of products classi- fied as antibiotics for ani- mal health maintenance, disease prevention or treatment of disease. But why mentioned this on the label? All processed chickens in the U.S. must be "antibiotic-free" in the sense that no antibiotic residues are allowed to be present in the meat. Made in the USA. Nearly all chickens and chicken products sold in the U.S. come from chick- ens hatched, raised and processed in the U.S. The only exception is a small amount imported from Canada, which has food safety and quality stan- dards equal to our own. Organic. The USDA has a very specific rule to define "organic" pro- duction and prohibits the use of the term "or- ganic" on packaging of any food product not produced in accordance with its rule. Organic chicken means that 100 percent of the chicken's feed was grown without chemical fertiliz- ers, herbicides and other genetically modified or- ganisms for at least three years. According to USDA, the organic label does not indicate that the product has safety, qual- ity or nutritional attri- butes that are any higher than conventionally raised chicken. MaryHuntisthefounder of www.DebtProofLiving. com, a personal finance member website. You can email her at mary@eve- rydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheap- skate, P.O. Box 2099, Cy- press, CA 90630. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Chicken labeling: Prepare to be surprised Mary Hunt PLEASERECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER. Thankyou! Today REDBLUFF American Legion Mt. Lassen Post 167:7p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 735 Oak St. Antelope School Board: 5:30p.m., Antelope District Board Room, 22600Ante- lope Blvd. Bend School Board: 4:30 p.m., 22270Bend Ferry Road Book Club, 6p.m.: Tehama County Library City Council: 7p.m. City Hall, 555 Washington St. Cribbage Club: 6p.m. Cozy Diner, 259S. Main St., 527- 6402 Diabetic Education: 12:30 p.m. St. Elizabeth Com- munity Hospital, Columba Room, 529-8031 Fun Senior Aerobics: 8-9 a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. 527- 8177 Healthier Living with Chronic Conditions: 5:30-8p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Wright Room, 888-628-194 PAL Kickboxing: 6p.m., 1450Schwab St., 529-8716 or 200-3950 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. PETS — Providing Essen- tials for Tehama Shelter: 6 p.m., Rabobank, 500Luther Road, 527-8702 Pinochle for Seniors: 12:30-3:30p.m., 1500S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and practice: 6:30 p.m., Tyler Jelly building, Tehama District Fairground Red Bluff Rotary: noon, Elks Lodge Take Off Pounds Sensi- bly - TOPS: 10a.m., First United Methodist Church, 525David Ave., 824-0556 or 529-1414 Tehama County Arts Council board meeting: 5:30p.m., Tehama County Department of Education Tehama County Board of Education: 5p.m., Tehama County Department of Edu- cation, 1135Lincoln St. Tehama County Board of Supervisors: 10a.m., board chamber, 727Oak St. Tehama County Resource Conservation District: 8:30a.m., USDA Service Center, 2Sutter St., Ste. D Tehama County Tea Party Patriots: 6p.m., Grange Hall, 20794Walnut St. Tehama District Fair board: 1p.m., Tehama Room, Tehama District Fair- ground, 650Antelope Blvd. WWE self defense train- ing for women: 5:30-7 p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C CORNING Corning-Area Red Cross Disaster Volunteers: 6 p.m. to 7:30p.m., Corning Fire Department, 814Fi h St., 1-800-934-5344or arcnec.org Dance with Juana: noon to 1p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488South St., 824-7670 ESL/Citizenship classes: 9a.m.-11a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Healthcare District: 6p.m., district office building, 145 Solano St., conference room Planning Commission: 6:30p.m., city hall, 794 Third St. Red Cross Disaster Volun- teer meeting: 6p.m., Corn- ing Fire Department, 814 Fi h St., 800934-5344 Soccer training: 4-6p.m., except for holidays and rain, Woodson School Soccer Field, 150N Toomes, 824- 7680 Tehama County Health Partnership: 1-3p.m., City Hall, 794Third St. COTTONWOOD Cottonwood Community Library Readers Club: 4 p.m., 347-4818 LOS MOLINOS School Readiness Play Group: 10-11:30a.m., up to 5 years, free, First Steps Family Resource Center: 7700Stanford Ave., 384-7833 PASKENTA Elkins School Board: 5:15 p.m., 2960Elkins Road Wednesday RED BLUFF Al-Anon: noon to 1p.m., Presbyterian Church, Jef- ferson and Hickory Alcohol, Anger and Abuse Group: call for group time and location, 528-0226 Downtown Farmers Market: 5:30-8p.m., Wash- ington Street between Pine and Oak streets Lupus/Fibromyalgia Sup- port Group: 6-8p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospi- tal, Columba room, Jackie, 529-3029 Marine Corps League: 6:30p.m., Red Bluff Veter- ans Memorial Hall, corner of Oak and Jackson streets., Roy Fansler 384-2134 Nurturing Parenting Dads Program: 10a.m. to noon, 1860Walnut St. #D, Shasta Room, call Keith at 527- 8491, ext. 3012 Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents: 9-10a.m., 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, ext. 3012 PAL Martial Arts Women's Self Defense: 5:30-6:30 p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C, 840-0345 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and practice: 6:30 p.m., Tyler Jelly building, Tehama District Fairground Red Bluff Joint Union High School Board: 5:30p.m., 1525Douglas St. Red Bluff Kiwanis: noon, Elks Lodge Senior Dance: 7p.m., Westside Grange, Walnut St. Team Kid: 5:30p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 585Kimball Road, 527- 5083 TeenScreen Mental Health appointments: 10a.m. to 2p.m., free by appointment only, Youth Empowerment Services, 1900Walnut St., 527-8491, Ext. 3012 Tehama County Board of Education: 5p.m., District Office, 1135Lincoln St. Tehama County Child Abuse Prevention coordi- nating council: 8:30a.m., Family Resource Center, 220Sycamore St. Tehama County Fireworks Committee: 6p.m., Lariat Bowl Tehama County Library story time: 9:30a.m., 645 Madison St. 527-0604 Waterbirth Class: 6:30- 8:30p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Colum- ba Room, 888-628-1948 Weight Watchers meet- ing: 9a.m., Hampton Inn, 1-800-651-6000 Widowed Persons Break- fast: 8a.m., call 384-2471 for location Work Incentives Planning and Assistance: 10a.m. to 12:30p.m., Family Resource Center, 220Sycamore St., Ste. 101, 528-8066, free Y-FI Middle and High School Youth Group: 6:30- 8p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345David Ave., 527-0543 CORNING Building Community Partnerships: 11a.m., Fam- ily Resource Center, 1480 South St., 528-4187 Corning Rotary: noon, Rolling Hills Casino Timbers Steak House, 2655Barham Ave., corningrotary.org Richfield School Board: 6p.m., 23875River Road, 824-3354 School Readiness Play Group: 10-11:30a.m., up to 5 years, free, Family Re- source Center, 1480South St., 824-4111 Spanish Adult Education: 5p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Strategies for Success, Life Skill classes: 1:30 p.m., Family Resource Cen- ter, West and South streets, 824-7670 Tehama County Sanitary Landfill Agency: 6p.m., City Council Chamber, 794 Third St. VFW Charity Bingo: 6p.m., Corning Veterans Memorial Hall, 1620Solano St., 824- 5957 LOS MOLINOS Bible Study: 1p.m., Sher- wood Manor, 7975Sher- wood Blvd., all welcome, 347-1330 Take Off Pounds Sensibly - TOPS: 8:30a.m., 25160 Josephine St., 385-1068 COTTONWOOD Cottonwood Library Story Time: 11:30a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Cottonwood Library, 3427Main St., 347-4818 Thursday RED BLUFF Business A er Hours: 5:30p.m., hosted by Red Bluff-Tehama County Cham- ber of Commerce California HEAT Chorus - Sweet Adelines: 7p.m., Meteer School multipurpose room, 695Kimball Road, 895-0139 Childbirth Class: 6:30- 8:30p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Columba Room, 888-628- 1948 Community Action Agency: 3p.m. Board of Supervisors chambers Democratic Central Com- mittee of Tehama County: 5:30p.m., Patio Room, Lariat Bowl, 365S. Main St. Fun Senior Aerobics: 8-9 a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. 527- 8177 Grief Support Group: 3 p.m., St. Elizabeth Commu- nity Hospital, Coyne Center, Kristin, 528-4207 Imagination Train sto- ryhour: 4p.m., Tehama County Library Kelly-Griggs House Museum: 1-3p.m., 311 Washington St., group tours by appointment, 527-1129or 527-5895 Live country music, din- ner: 5-7p.m., Veterans Hall Painting session, Red Bluff Art Association: 10 a.m., Tehama District Fair- ground, 529-1603 PAL Martial Arts: 3-5p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C, ages 5-18, free, 529-7950 Passages caregiver sup- port group: 10a.m., Com- munity and Senior Center, 1500S. Jackson St., 229- 0878or 800995-0878 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Phoenix Community Sup- port Group for chemical dependency: 11:30a.m., Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson St., 945-2349 Pinochle for Seniors: 12:30-3:30p.m., 1500S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177. CALENDAR REDDING Caltrans District 2 is proud to announce its Middle of Buckhorn Project on State Route 299 between Redding and Weaverville has won the Caltrans 2014 Excellence in Transporta- tion Award in the category of "Traveler and Worker Safety." The Department received nearly 80 entries from within Caltrans, local and public agencies, private con- tractors and consultants. A panel of judges made up of professional engineers, en- vironmental specialists and transportation planners re- viewed the entries and se- lected the winners. The Middle of Buckhorn project was completed in November 2013. The $13 million project is part of a series of safety improvement projects be- ing made on the Buckhorn Grade. Caltrans, along with the contractor, Mercer Fra- ser Construction, removed 11 of 22 curves, increased lanes to 12 feet, increased shoulders and added a four foot soft median between opposing lanes of traffic. The advisory curve speed limit was increased from 25 mph to 35 mph and a continuous truck climbing lane was constructed. HIGHWAY 299 Buckhorn Project earns Caltrans award COURTESY PHOTO A section of the Middle of Buckhorn Project, which recently earned Caltrans an award for safety. LimitedSpaceAvailable,calltobookyour complimentary appointment today!530.529.HUSH A non-invasive facelift technique, no knife, no down time, no irritation, immediate results! Our micro-current facial can reverse & greatly diminish fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, sagging skin, rosacea, & acne conditions to name just a few! I look forward to providing you with the best skin care of your life! Hush Beauty Lounge 855 Walnut Street, Suite 3, Red Bluff www.HushBeautyLounge.com Special 2 Day Event July 25 th -July 26 th ✓Checkoutourselection of beer, wine & tobacco YourOneStopConvenienceStore 5am to 11pm 714 Walnut St., Red Bluff ONE STOP http://www.facebook.com/scoopsofredbluff 905WalnutSt. | Red Bluff • 528-1698 11am-9pm • 7 days facebook.com/scoopsofredbluff Cometryour GelatoPies MongolianBBQ Mongolian BBQ K K ahunas ahunas AmericanStyle It's all about the choices! ANADULTDINNERBUFFETONLY EXCLUDES SENIOR and CHILDRENS DINNERS and One Per Table $ 2 00 OFF www.kahunasmongolianbbq.com 2151 Market St. Redding, CA 96001 (530) 244-4200 OPEN EVERYDAY 11 AM TO 9 PM www.expresspros.com 530-527-0727 243 So. Main Street RespectingPeople. Impacting Business Call us. And get back to work. Call us any time for: • An extensive network of recruiting sources • Testing and training • Experienced recruiters • Full-time employees • HR expertise and support services • Temporary Workers • Evaluation hire • Carefully screened candidates • Dedicated service Celebrating 20 years June 30-July 19 Everythinginthe store on SALE upto50% off Gold Exchange 413 Walnut Street, Red Bluff 530 528-8000 Mon.10am-4pm•Tues.-Fri.10am-5:30pm • Sat.10am-4pm Register to Wi n 50" HDTV LED Take15%offyourentirebill dineinonly Open Tues-Sat www. palominoroom .com 723 Main St. 527.5470 » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, July 15, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5