OSCAR MAYER does not own or operate any farms, but we expect our suppliers to adhere to science-based industry best practices and housing systems to provide proper animal care.

We support good housing systems that provide animals with The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare: 

When farmers are determining the best kind of housing for their animals, they must take into account several factors including animal health and well-being, weather protection, disease control, predator protection, economic feasibility and in-herd aggression.

Similar to humans, animals need shelter. Many animals are housed inside barns to protect them from harm and extreme weather while maintaining proper temperatures and allowing easy access to food and water. Barns also facilitate more routine observation and care.

A well-managed housing system can provide animal comfort while optimizing health and safety. It can also allow animals to express their natural behaviors while minimizing environmental threats.

In addition to ensuring animals are provided The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, our suppliers conduct ongoing third-party audits, bringing in outside experts to assess the welfare of their animals. They use the results to support continuous improvement. 

We are working to help the next generation of animal welfare experts through the support of animal welfare research at The Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin – River Falls, University of Pennsylvania, University of Guelph and National Pork Board.

Additionally, OSCAR MAYER has committed to transitioning away from the use of traditional sow gestation stalls in its supply chain by 2025. Traditional sow gestation stalls, which separate sows during pregnancy, are often cramped and allow limited movement, which can get uncomfortable for the pig. OSCAR MAYER and its supplying partners will transition to alternative sow housing with more space while maintaining quality individual care and protection.

 There is no legal definition of “humanely raised” and the USDA does not regulate animal welfare, so each label you see has its own standards defining “humane.” OSCAR MAYER expects its suppliers to adhere to government regulations and to industry standards established by the following organizations:

Hormones are naturally present in all living things, including plants, animals and people. They play an essential role, acting as messengers to direct important cell and tissue action, like growth and development. 

Since the 1950s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of supplemental hormones for use in beef cattle. Farmers use approved hormone supplements—a negligible amount to humans—to help cattle convert more of their feed into beef rather than fat. This allows farmers to raise leaner, more affordable beef while providing environmental benefits.

The use of hormones provides numerous economic and environmental benefits. Hormones improve cattle’s natural ability to convert their diet into more lean muscle instead of fat, which helps make beef leaner and more affordable for the average American family. Plus, the use of hormones provides environmental benefits, improving the sustainability of beef by reducing waste, water, land and feed, as well as carbon footprint. 

Hormones, in the form of a small pellet, are placed under the skin in the back side of the animal’s ear. As the pellet dissolves slowly over several months, it enables cattle to better use the nutrients in their feed. As a result, animals grow more lean muscle while minimizing fat deposits.

All living things naturally contain hormones, and therefore are found in nearly everything we eat. You consume hormones when eating beef, beans, salad, bread and more, and all are safe. 

Estrogen is one of the most commonly used hormones in raising cattle. Hormone levels in supplemented and non-supplemented beef are nearly identical (a difference of two billionths of a gram) and much lower than numerous other foods. Therefore, hormone levels in beef are negligible to humans, and the beef products are safe to enjoy.

No. They have been proven safe. These products are regulated by the FDA, and since the 1950s, the FDA has monitored and approved the use of hormones when raising beef cattle. Extensive studies have concluded that hormones do not harm cattle or the environment, and beef from cattle given hormones is safe for people to eat. 

We want to make our food labels as easy to understand as possible. The phrase “No Added Hormones” applies to all pork and poultry products, including those from OSCAR MAYER, since those animals are never given hormones. OSCAR MAYER includes the “No Added Hormones” language on our Natural labels to remind consumers this is the case. 

Some beef is raised with supplemental hormones, including OSCAR MAYER beef products. The hormone levels in beef, both from supplemented and non-supplemented cattle, are similarly low, with a difference of only two billionths of a gram. This is negligible to humans and safe to enjoy.

Hormones have not proven to be as practical and effective when given to pigs, chickens or turkeys. As a result, there are currently no FDA-approved hormones for use in these species.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the entire agriculture sector (not just raising animals) accounts for nine percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. To put that in perspective, the transportation industry accounts for 26 percent and homes and businesses account for 12 percent.

Even so, farmers are always looking for ways to minimize their environmental impact. For example, improvements in animal nutrition and fertilizer have helped farmers raise more meat without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

As a result, while meat production rose 50 percent between 1990 and 2014, agriculture's greenhouse gas emissions stayed nearly flat.

Water is a vital resource for our operations worldwide, and we’re constantly looking for new ways to conserve water to protect one of our earth’s most precious resources. We implement conservation efforts in a lot of ways, from recycling water and installing new technologies to upgrading water treatment plants. 

We also know another byproduct of improved crop growth techniques is reduced land use. As crop yields have improved, the amount of land required to grow food for raising cattle, pigs and poultry has significantly declined.

Plus, farmers work closely with nutritionists to make sure their animal feed provides all the necessary calories, vitamins and minerals to optimize the animal’s health. This means fewer resources are used to provide the same amount of care with less impact on our land and soil.

From 1977 to 2007, the amount of land needed to produce a pound of beef dropped by more than 33 percent, and farmers reduced by 78 percent the cropland required to bring a pound of pork to market from 1959 to 2009 (most recent data available).

Yes, cattle are uniquely suited to get the most out of grasslands, which are unsuitable for growing crops. In fact, according to the USDA, about 85 percent of U.S. land is not suitable for growing crops. By raising cattle on this land, farmers double the amount of land that is useful for growing food.

Additionally, animal waste has valuable nutrients that are recycled to improve soil health.