To assist consumers in making "humane food choices" at grocery stores in the United States, the World Society for the Protection of Animals has released a survey that ranks 23 supermarket systems by the availability of humanely produced on their shelves.

WSPA has launched a web site, www.eathumane.org, that details the results and explains and rates humane food labels based on "their verifiable impact on animal welfare."

WPSA surveyed almost 200 stores at 23 retail systems in 34 States in the US.

It recorded the availability of humanely raised food in four categories: dairy, eggs, fresh meat and poultry; as well as processed meat and poultry.

It then and rated them for quality and quantity.

WPSA said Whole Foods Market Inc. scored the highest, followed by Wegman's Food Markets Inc., while Wal-Mart Stores Inc. scored the lowest.