Hormones are produced naturally by plants, animals, and humans and are required for normal healthy functioning of the organism. Therefore, they are naturally occurring in all meat and many other agricultural food products, regardless of production methods. Because of this, the term “Hormone Free” is not approved for use on labels.

One of the most common, and frustrating, questions for U.S. poultry producers is why hormones are used to produce today's poultry products. The truth is no hormones have been allowed in poultry production for more than 50 years.

Hormone use in poultry production was banned in the United States in the 1950s.

To address this continuing misinformation, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has prepared a new video to explain the scientific, economic and legal reasons hormones are not needed or used by the U.S. poultry industry.