You may have noticed more debate recently about humanewashing, which is the meat, dairy and egg industries’ practice of telling consumers through advertising, on packaging and elsewhere with claims and imagery, that the animals were treated well. To put a finer point on it, these messages are intended to deceive consumers into believing that the products they buy don’t come from factory farmed animals, and that the animals are treated humanely. Unfortunately, as our investigators have found time and again after bringing hidden cameras into dozens of factory farms and slaughterhouses, the reality is that cruelty and neglect are standard in animal agriculture, and 99 percent of the animal products Americans eat come from factory farms.

The meat, dairy and egg industries know two things: that people care about animals and don't want them to be mistreated, and that they cannot remove the cruelty and deprivation from these industries. So, the industries lie about it — they tell people what they want to hear so people will keep buying the products of animal suffering.

Where do these labels come from and what really happens to the animals?

The meat, milk and egg industries have a near-monopoly on the messages we all hear. Until we demand to know the truth and exercise our right to see these videos, to share them, and to call out humanewashing for what it is, the industry stays in control — of billions of animals and of each of us. It is our turn to arm ourselves with the truth, stand against humanewashing and align our purchases with our values, starting with refusing to support these cruel industries and standing up for animals by eating vegan.