Fresh Open Nature Grass Fed Ground Beef
I spied a new production in my grocery store the other day — vacuum-packed beef sold under Safeway's Open Nature make.
The label indicated this beef came from grass-fed, hormone-gratuitous, antibiotic-free cows. Woo-hoo! It was more expensive than the stuff packed in the butcher case — only non by much. And since we've been buying grass-fed beef from a local rancher, this new supermarket offering piqued my marvel.
Merely I took a step dorsum…What does the "grass-fed" label really mean?My research into nutrient labeling regulations has opened my eyes, and the more I've learned, the more I've come to suspect that many (most?) labels are merely full of crap (and frankly downright insulting at times). So I mentally added a "Inquiry Grass-Fed Meat Labels" task to my to-do listing and did some analysis for all of us.
How the USDA Defines "Grass-Fed"
The USDA's 2007 voluntary standard, "United States Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claims, Grass (Forage) Fed Claim for Ruminant Livestock and the Meat Products Derived From Such Livestock", governs grass-fed claims using the following criteria:
- Animals must eat only grass and provender throughout their lives, except when consuming milk before weaning. They can't consume or be fed grain or grain byproducts, but nutrient from cereal crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state is ok.
- They must have "continuous admission to pasture during the growing season." The growing season is divers equally the fourth dimension betwixt average last frost and average outset frost in the animal's locale. During winter months or drought weather, they must continue to eat only grass and forage — no grain.
- Animals may be given routine mineral and vitamin supplements. Producers have to document anything non considered routine.
How the USDA'southward Grass-Fed Standard Works
Under the standard, producers must obtain a USDA evaluation prior to using the grass-fed label or marketing a product as grass-fed. Evaluation procedures are documented in the USDA's Quality Systems Verification Programs (QSVP), a pre-existing set of programs designed to "provide contained verification that special processes and/or marketing claims are clearly divers and verified by an independent third party."
What the Standard Doesn't Tell You
The "access to pasture during the growing flavour" requirement ways that animals could be confined to pens or feedlots during much of the year. Additionally, producers who had been previously certified under the USDA's QSVP requirements were grandfathered in on the grass-fed characterization. Whatsoever farmer using the term "grass-fed" before the 2007 standard was created can continue to apply information technology, whether he now complies with the standard or non.
My Takeaways
The grass-fed label appeals to me because I want my nutrient to come from animals that were raised nether natural conditions, particularly now that I know the horrific truths about how much of our meat is produced. And I want to back up ranchers and companies that feel the same way I do. But I won't blindly believe that "grass-fed" implies all that.
I did some enquiry on Safeway'south Open Nature grass-fed beef and accept no reason to doubtable its meats aren't produced in line with my interests. Its website states its animals are humanely and sustainably raised, vegetarian-fed, and gratuitous of antibiotics, hormones, and preservatives. This is refreshing and inspiring to see from a major supermarket chain. Volition I buy information technology? Maybe, maybe not. I love supporting my local grass-fed beef producer, but he's not always down the street waiting for me to drop past and pick up a Fri night steak. I like having options. I will virtually likely give this meat a attempt.
Here'south what'due south really absurd to me: If I practice buy this product, information technology will be with open optics. It's powerful to exist able to hit the web, practise a bit of inquiry, and find a wealth of reliable sources that empower us through information. Way to go, researchers, scientists, consumer advocates, educational groups, writers, and food lovers.
Are Yous Obsessed With Food Labels Like I am?
Here are a few posts y'all should check out:
- Don't Exist Leanwashed: Five Nutrient-Words That Should Be Banned
- What Do Those Egg Carton Labels Really Tell You? (Infographic)
- Web log Activeness Solar day: What Do Meat Labels Really Hateful?
- Food Labels for Ecovores: Avoiding Subconscious Creature Ingredients
- Food Characterization Fact and Fiction
Would you buy Open Nature's grass-fed beef based on what I've learned? Share your thoughts.
Prototype Credit: krossbow via flickr/CC
Reader Interactions
Source: https://insteading.com/blog/grass-fed-label/
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