How to interpret the new egg carton labels

Some of the new varieties of eggs are better for you, some are good for the environment, and some are good for the hens. Here is a quick explanation of the new egg labels:

If you see the label 'Omega Three Enhanced'

• Omega 3s reduce the risk of heart disease, but they aren’t in many kinds of food. Fish is one way to get omega 3, but some people worry about mercury and other pollutants. So if you want to get more Omega 3s into your diet without eating fish, eggs with omega 3s are a good way. The chickens are fed food that has omega 3 in it, like flaxseed, flax oil and walnuts. You do have to watch your cholesterol, and it’s all in the yolk, so you might try to have one egg and two egg whites.

Certified Humane:

• If you’re concerned about how the hens are treated, look for certified humane egg label. Go to certifiedhumane.com to learn more. What this means is that independent inspectors have been out to see the chickens' living conditions and will certify that they are being treated humanely.

USDA Certified Organic:

• USDA certified organic eggs are good for the planet and good for you. That egg label means no hormones or antibiotics were used on the hens and their feed is not grown with pesticides or fertilizers.

These eggs may be more expensive than conventional eggs, but many consumers feel they’re worth it.