Nutrition Diet: What Brand of Chicken Has No Hormones and Antibiotics?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Consumer Reports, labels regarding antibiotic use in chicken can be misleading, with terms like “Raised Without Antibiotics” sometimes confusing consumers about production standards. For health-conscious individuals, understanding what brand of chicken has no hormones and antibiotics is essential for making genuinely informed and clean dietary choices.

Quick Summary

This article explores the brands offering chicken free of added hormones and antibiotics. It clarifies labeling standards, outlines key certifications, and compares top brands to help consumers choose high-quality poultry for their nutritional needs.

Key Points

Federal Law Bans Hormones: No chicken sold in the US has added hormones, regardless of the brand.
'No Antibiotics Ever' is the Gold Standard: This label, verified by the USDA, means no antibiotics were used at any point in the chicken's life.
Beware of Confusing Labels: Terms like 'Raised Without Antibiotics' are also used, but 'No Antibiotics Ever' typically involves stricter USDA verification.
Consider Certifications: For higher animal welfare and organic standards, look for USDA Organic, Certified Humane, or Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) seals.
Top Brands Include: Bell & Evans, Perdue (NAE line), Smart Chicken, Foster Farms (Simply Raised/Organic lines), and Freebird are all reliable options.
Choose Based on Priorities: Your choice should depend on your priorities, whether they are strict antibiotic avoidance, humane animal treatment, organic feed, or flavor and texture.
Support Sustainable Practices: By choosing antibiotic-free products, you can help reduce the contribution to antibiotic resistance in the broader food system.

The Truth About Hormones in Poultry

One of the most important things to know is that by federal law, all poultry raised in the United States must be free of added hormones. Therefore, any chicken package that advertises "No Added Hormones" is simply stating a fact that applies to all chicken products on the market. While this can provide reassurance, it is not a differentiating factor between brands. The real distinction lies in a brand's approach to antibiotic use and animal welfare, which are critical elements for consumers prioritizing clean eating.

Understanding Antibiotic Labels and Claims

Labels about antibiotic use can be confusing, but understanding the terminology is key to purchasing poultry that aligns with your dietary values. The USDA verifies label claims related to antibiotic use, though the level of verification can vary.

Clarifying 'No Antibiotics Ever' vs. 'Raised Without Antibiotics'

No Antibiotics Ever (NAE): This is the most comprehensive and strictly regulated claim. It means the chickens were never administered antibiotics at any point during their lives. To use this label, producers must adhere to a strict protocol verified by the USDA. Flocks that get sick and need antibiotic treatment are removed from the NAE program and sold through other channels.
Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA): This is often used interchangeably with NAE, and for a product to carry this label, the producer must submit documentation to the USDA confirming that no antibiotics were used. If a USDA Process Verified seal is also on the package, it signifies that inspectors have visited the farm to confirm the claim.

Other Relevant Labels

Beyond antibiotics, other labels can indicate higher animal welfare standards and a more natural product:

Certified Organic (USDA): This comprehensive certification ensures that, among other things, the chickens were not given any antibiotics. They are also fed 100% organic, non-GMO feed and have access to the outdoors.
Certified Humane: This certification focuses on animal welfare practices, ensuring a low-stress environment, sufficient space, and other humane conditions. Many Certified Humane brands also have antibiotic-free policies.
Pasture-Raised: This term signifies that the chickens spent a significant portion of their lives outdoors on a pasture, foraging for a natural diet of insects and seeds. This provides a different nutritional profile than conventionally raised birds.

Prominent Brands Offering No Antibiotics and No Hormones

Here are some of the most recognized brands that offer chicken with no antibiotics and no added hormones:

Bell & Evans: This brand is known for its commitment to organic, antibiotic-free, and humane standards. They were pioneers in air-chilling their chicken, a process that avoids added chlorinated water and enhances flavor. Bell & Evans focuses on low-stress, humane living conditions to keep their chickens healthy without medication.
Perdue: Perdue offers a 'No Antibiotics Ever' line for their branded consumer chicken products. They have a well-documented process that includes using natural supplements and maintaining a healthy living environment to prevent illness.
Smart Chicken: Tecumseh Poultry, the producer of Smart Chicken, has a long-standing commitment to raising chickens without antibiotics. They emphasize sanitary, low-density living conditions and natural behaviors for their birds, offering both organic and conventional antibiotic-free lines.
Foster Farms: With its Simply Raised and Organic lines, Foster Farms offers chicken raised free range with 100% vegetarian feed, no added hormones, and no antibiotics. They are a major producer of antibiotic-free poultry on the West Coast.
Freebird: This brand's "Never Ever" standard means their poultry is never given antibiotics or growth hormones/steroids. They feed their chickens a high-quality vegetarian diet and maintain high welfare standards.

Comparison of Certified Chicken Brands


Brand	Antibiotic Claim	Organic Option	Animal Welfare Certification	Air-Chilled	Key Feature
Bell & Evans	NAE	Yes	Certified Humane, PCO	Yes	100% Air-Chilled Process
Perdue	NAE	Yes	Global Animal Partnership (varies by product)	No	Large-scale NAE commitment
Smart Chicken	NAE	Yes	Certified Humane, G.A.P.	Yes	Pioneer in antibiotic-free since 1999
Foster Farms	NAE (Specific Lines)	Yes	American Humane Certified (select products)	Yes	West Coast NAE leader
Freebird	NAE	No	G.A.P. Step 3 or 4	No	High-quality vegetarian feed

Making the Best Choice for Your Nutritional Needs

Choosing the best chicken for your diet goes beyond simply looking for antibiotic-free claims. Consider your priorities:

Read Labels Carefully: Look for No Antibiotics Ever or a USDA Process Verified shield alongside Raised Without Antibiotics for the highest assurance. If organic is important, ensure the USDA Organic seal is present.
Consider Animal Welfare: Certifications like Certified Humane or Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) indicate better living conditions for the birds. Happier, healthier chickens generally produce better meat.
Taste and Texture: Processes like air-chilling, used by brands like Bell & Evans and Smart Chicken, can result in a more tender and flavorful product since no chlorinated water is absorbed.
Budget: Organic and higher-welfare chicken often costs more due to higher production standards. Weighing your budget against your priorities is important.

The Connection to Health and Wellness

Opting for chicken raised without antibiotics can be part of a broader nutritional strategy focused on reducing exposure to unnecessary chemicals and supporting sustainable farming practices. While all meat must be free of antibiotic residue before sale, choosing NAE products helps minimize the contribution to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a significant public health concern. Furthermore, organic and pasture-raised options may offer subtle nutritional differences related to the chicken's diet and environment.

Conclusion

Selecting a brand of chicken with no hormones and antibiotics is a conscious step towards a cleaner diet. While no added hormones are standard for all US poultry, the 'No Antibiotics Ever' claim, verified by the USDA, is the gold standard for antibiotic-free poultry. Brands like Bell & Evans, Perdue, Smart Chicken, and Foster Farms offer well-regarded options that meet these high standards. By understanding labels and certifications, consumers can confidently choose high-quality chicken that aligns with their health, ethical, and nutritional goals, ultimately contributing to a healthier food system.

For more information on decoding complex food labels, consider checking out the in-depth analysis by Consumer Reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is a federal regulation in the United States that no hormones are added to any poultry. The label 'No Added Hormones' is simply a clarification of this standard practice.

'No Antibiotics Ever' (NAE) is a more stringent, USDA-verified claim, ensuring no antibiotics were used at any point. 'Raised Without Antibiotics' (RWA) is a similar claim, but a 'USDA Process Verified' seal provides a higher level of assurance.

Yes, by opting for chicken raised without antibiotics, you help reduce the overall use of these drugs in agriculture, which is a factor in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Yes, for a chicken to be certified USDA Organic, it must be raised without antibiotics. However, it's worth noting that some non-organic products can also be raised entirely without antibiotics.

Brands like Bell & Evans and Smart Chicken are certified by organizations like Certified Humane, indicating they follow strict animal welfare protocols alongside their antibiotic-free practices. Foster Farms also has an American Humane Certified line.

Air-chilling is a processing method that cools the chicken with cold air instead of water. It is not related to antibiotic use but results in a more flavorful product that doesn't absorb chlorinated water. Brands like Bell & Evans and Smart Chicken use this method.

For the highest assurance, look for the 'No Antibiotics Ever' label with the USDA Process Verified seal. This indicates that the claim has been confirmed through third-party audits and inspections.