Humanewashing

Humanewashing is the tactic of using misleading descriptions of the treatment of animals, especially in the production of animal products. ^{[1] [2] [3]} The term is often applied in the context of labels on store-bought products, but has also been applied to other contexts such as zoos. ^[4]

The term is often used by animal welfare and animal rights organizations. For instance, the ASPCA has criticized the label "cage-free" for chicken and turkey as humanewashing since they are still tightly packed indoors. ^[5] Others have also called the label "free-range" a form of humanewashing since most of the animals stay indoors with limited access to the outdoors. ^[6] Some lawsuits have been filed against individual companies for their alleged humanewashing labels and advertising. Most of these have resulted in private settlements. ^[7]

See also

• Greenwashing
• Pinkwashing (LGBT)
• Reputation laundering
• Sportswashing

References

1. Scott-Reid, Jessica (2021-12-21). "The "humanewashing" of America's meat and dairy, explained". Vox. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
2. Held, Lisa (2021-01-19). "Are Some Animal Welfare Labels 'Humanewashing'?". Civil Eats. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
3. Fragoso, Alessandra Akemi Hashimoto; Capilé, Karynn; Taconeli, Cesar Augusto; de Almeida, Gabrielle Cristine; de Freitas, Paula Pimpão; Molento, Carla Forte Maiolino (2023-06-01). "Animal Welfare Science: Why and for Whom?". Animals. 13 (11): 1833. doi: 10.3390/ani13111833 . ISSN   2076-2615. PMC   10252133 . PMID   37889695.
4. Katz, Estée (May 2022). Are the Animals Actually Alright?: The Failures of Current Animal Welfare Labels in Canada and Suggestions for Change (Master of Bioethics thesis). Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
5. "Study Shows Humanewashing Is Costing Animals–and Consumers–Too Much. We've Got Solutions! | ASPCA". www.aspca.org. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
6. Torrella, Kenny (2023-05-17). "Undercover audio of a Tyson employee reveals "free-range" chicken is meaningless". Vox. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
7. Dekolf, Brooke; Gittelson, Phoebe; Herberger, Emalie. "How Greenwashing and Humanewashing in Our Food Systems Perpetuate Environmental Injustices". American Bar Association. Retrieved 2025-08-28.