Grocery Aisle Smackdown: What's Worth It, What's Not

Eggs: Cage-Free vs. Organic

Our choice: Organic

Why: Organic eggs are produced by hens given feed grown without most conventional pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or commercial fertilizers; standards also prohibit the use of growth hormones. The American Egg Board says eggs labeled simply "cage-free" usually come from hens living on the floor of a barn or poultry house. Their mortality rates are higher, since the birds tend to peck at and injure each other. Plus, the nutrient content of eggs from cage-free hens is the same as for those produced by hens housed in cages.

The only drawback: Cost. It varies depending on where you live, but organic eggs run at least a dollar more per dozen.