Cheat sheet to decipher all those labels on meat

This or That?

CFLs or LEDs?

Cheat sheet to decipher all those labels on meat

by Patricia Mayville-Cox (Subscribe to Patricia Mayville-Cox's posts)
Jan 22nd 2008 @ 6:12PM

Filed under: Food

Consumer Reports GreenerChoices has a fabulous cheat sheet about how to decipher all those eco-labels.

Here are a few tips from the Meat category.

Antibiotic-free: Not a meaningful label since the USDA has banned the use of "antibiotic-free" labels.

Certified Humane Raised and Handled: This one is highly meaningful. Under this program, growth hormones are prohibited and animals are raised on a diet without antibiotics, although antibiotics can be used for sick animals.

Hormone Free: Not meaningful, the USDA has banned the use of "Hormone Free" on meat labels.

Grass-Fed: Meaningful only if accompanied by a USDA verification, look for a "USDA Verification Shield" on the package also.

Natural: Not a meaningful label, not verified by an independent agency.

For more from Greener Choices, see here.

Comments [3]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-23-2008 @ 8:16AM

Karsten said...

And the moment you find me a source for truly "cruelty free" and organic meat, I will eat meat again.

"Cruelty free" meaning treated nicely, with respect, and without undo stress for the animal from the beginning to the end of the animals life, during the transport, and during the process of slaughtering it. The animal should have no clue that something strange is going on.

Sure it will be more expensive, but I am willing to pay much more for the occasional meat treat if it does not include barbarically treatment of animals that have the ability to suffer.

There is $$$$$$$$$$$$ to be made here. There are many customers who are looking for this.

Karsten
--
http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice to Pollute Less

1-28-2008 @ 3:29PM

Jessy said...

This may be a stretch, but we have a meat lab here at UC Davis (I don't know where you are located). We have a few kinds of animals, very spacious rooms, and do not use feed-lots. Here's a more detailed information:
http://daviswiki.org/Meat_Lab

I noticed that they used the word "all natural" in there. I'm not sure what they mean by that.

Hope this helps, I recommend it because I've seen the livestock myself. They seem pretty happy to me...

1-23-2008 @ 8:15AM

Karsten said...

Never mind, that seems to be included in the label "Certified Humane Raised and Handled". I should read more.

Now I have to find where to get that sort of meat locally.

Karsten
--
http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice to Pollute Less

Green Daily Video

Green Daily Series

Tip of the Day

Resist the stacks of napkins given from fast-food joints and eateries.

Learn More

Featured Galleries

Greenland - On the Edge of Global Warming

10 things you didn't know you could compost

Puma/Atmos Endangered Species Collection

Green Daily bloggers (30 days)

#	Blogger	Posts
1	Cat Lincoln	21
2	Josh Loposer	20
3	Kristen Seymour	1

Featured Galleries

Sites We Love

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Reviews: What's New This Week Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish! Diabetic Student Wins Fight For Extra Gym Classes	Heidi Klum Hits The Runway After Baby Thanksgiving Dinner Satisfaction And Perfect Portion Control: Time to Celebrate Cheesy Workout Video Round-up
Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Backstage With the New Bombshells Audrey Hepburn's Wardrobe for Sale New Moon Chic: Vampire-Inspired Fashion to Celebrate 'Twilight Saga'	Arby's Lures Sports Fans With Free Food Men Survive Two Months at Sea Eating Driftwood and Coconut Shells In Defense of Guy Fieri
Celebs' Most Anticipated TV Season Finales What If Twitter Existed When... Miley Cyrus 'Deeply Saddened' by Bus Driver's Death	Playing Baby Otters; Baby-Making Manatees New Kid on the Bus Georgia Mascot Uga VII Dies at Age 4

Green Daily

This or That?