(NewsNation) — A popular brand of eggs has pushed back after coming under fire amid allegations of misrepresentation.
Vital Farms’ “organic pasture-raised” eggs are a popular choice for consumers looking for responsibly produced eggs; however, a lab test has brought forth some skepticism.
Nourish Food Club collaborated with Michigan State University to analyze various eggs, which found linoleic acid made up 22.5% of the “organic pasture-raised” Vital Farms eggs, higher than a tablespoon of canola oil.
Linoleic acid is an essential omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid that has benefits for skin health and cell membranes, but if too much is consumed, it can become pro-inflammatory.
According to health rating app Oasis Health, Vital Farms altered its feed from “pasture forage to a soy blend,” and “all their 575 family farms now rely on this supplemental soy feed,” Oasis said in an X post.
“When eggs are labeled as pasture-raised, this might now mean they are fed soy and kept in cages with only temporary access to pasture,” they added.
Vital Farms released a video in response to claims suggesting it was misleading its customers, saying it has “science to back (up)” its position.
According to Vital Farms’ website, its pasture-raised hens “have access to a minimum of 108 square feet each.”
In addition to their own foraging, the hens are fed a “supplemental feed,” which primarily includes “corn and soybean meal, which the hens need for protein, as well as additional natural ingredients, including paprika and marigold.”
Vital Farms has not responded to NewsNation’s request for comment.
