Difference Between Food Grade & Regular Bird Food

Whether you're feeding a pet or the wild birds that live in your yard, choosing which bird food to use can be a confusing process. Some bird foods claim to be "food grade" or "human grade," while others don't. If you want to provide the best food for the best price, it's important to know the differences.

  1. Definition

    • "Food grade" is a term that means something is safe for consumption by humans. The FDA uses this term to categorize food additives and synthetic materials used in food preparation.

    Other Terms

    • Bird food can also be categorized as "feed grade," which means it's safe for consumption by animals but hasn't been approved for consumption by humans. Another common term on bird food labels is "human grade," which is a loose term the FDA uses for food that has been processed according to sanitation standards for food sold to humans.

    Main Difference

    • The main thing that separates food grade or human grade bird food from regular bird food is the process of producing it. To make something safe for human consumption, the production facilities must follow more rigorous sanitation standards.

    Significance

    • If you purchase food-quality bird food, you know you're getting food from facilities that have been inspected and regulated by the government.

    Controversy

    • The terms "food grade" and "human grade" refer only to sanitation standards. Items may be edible but still undesirable, such as animal byproducts.

    Cost

    • Food grade is typically more expensive because it's more difficult to produce. For example, you can buy regular bird food for $3 or $4 per pound, whereas 1 lb. of food-grade bird food from Goldenfeast would cost you $7 to $10.