Free range is a great example of one of those that's been hollowed out to be a near useless marketing phrase in many parts of the world. EU standards set amount

Free range is a great example of one of those that's been hollowed out to be a near useless marketing phrase in many parts of the world. EU standards set amount of outside access, and limit birds per hectare - a quick search says 3,500 per hectare. USDA restrict neither making it completely worthless. EU Organic is tighter than the EU free range definition on birds per hectare, and limits total flock size too. Free range is marketed to imply old time farm yards with a few dozen hens happily pecking around some rural spacious idyll. The reality is depressingly different. Whether you care about organic aims at all, buying EU organic gets you the "most" free range eggs from best treated hens, that you can get at the supermarket. Which is more than a bit silly. You won't be surprised to learn I'm in favour of much stronger regulation and definitions on food and production labelling. While we're at it, adding carbon impact to labels.