ReThink Meat: And Confusing Meat Labels | episode eight Claim: The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA regulates food labels, often approving claims based on written descriptions rather than on-site visits, and has a history of lax regulation. Source: https://www.grubstreet.com/article/is-deli-meat-bad-for-you-lunch-meats-boars-head-recalls.html https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2020-10/Label-Approval-Guide.pdf

Claim: An Animal Welfare Institute report found that nearly half of 97 USDA-approved meat label claims had no application, a third provided no or inadequate evidence, and 85% lacked sufficient substantiation. Source: https://awionline.org/sites/default/files/publication/digital_download/Deceptive-Consumer-Labels-2023.pdf

Claim: Despite the vast array of labels designed to make you feel all warm & fuzzy about the meat you buy - almost 90% of grocery store meats come from factory farms.
Sources: https://ourworldindata.org/how-many-animals-are-factory-farmed#%3A%7E%3Atext=Nearly+all+livestock+animals+in+the+US+are+factory-farmed&text=It+makes+its+data+and%2Cwere+factory-farmed+in+2017.&text=That+was+10+billion+animals%2Cthan+the+global+human+population

Claim: In fact, according to 2017 estimates: 8.9 billion chickens, 520 million fish, 362 million egg laying hens, 285 million turkeys, 66 million cows and 71 million pigs, or over 10 billion animals were factory farmed, vs. 40 million that were not raised in factory farms. Sources: https://www.sentienceinstitute.org/us-factory-farming-estimates

Claim: And though niche markets are growing, only 4% of the 26 billion pounds of beef produced in 2023 was grass fed and less than 1% was actually labeled as such and up to 80% of grass-fed beef was imported. Sources: https://extension.sdstate.edu/grass-fed-beef-market-share-grass-fed-beef#%3A%7E%3Atext=About+4%25+of+U.S.+beef%2Cvalue+of+roughly+%244+billion

Claim: Consumer Reports found that 62% of consumers look for "natural" on labels, assuming it means no chemicals, artificial ingredients, pesticides, or GMOs. However, on meat labels, "natural" only means no artificial ingredients or added color and minimal processing, revealing nothing about the animal's diet, living conditions, or harvesting methods. Sources: https://www.consumerreports.org/food-labeling/what-food-labels-mean-and-dont/

Claim: Contrary to popular belief, Product of America doesn't guarantee domestic origin and meat could be imported and merely processed and packaged in the United States. And up to 80% of grass fed beef in America is actually imported from other countries… As was elucidated by Professor of Animal Science Doctor Jason Rountree.

Sources: https://extension.sdstate.edu/grass-fed-beef-market-share-grass-fed-beef#%3A%7E%3Atext=About+4%25+of+U.S.+beef%2Cvalue+of+roughly+%244+billion

Claim: Approximately 73% of antibiotics worldwide are used in animal agriculture, and though it suggests antibiotic free production, it's not always foolproof. Variations like no antibiotic growth hormones or raised without medically important antibiotics may still allow use for disease prevention or non-human use antibiotics.

Sources: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobial-stewardship/study-predicts-global-increase-antimicrobial-use-food-producing-animals

https://www.consumerreports.org/overuse-of-antibiotics/what-no-antibiotic-claims-really-mean/

Claim: A 2015 analysis by the Environmental Working Group also found that antibiotic resistant bacteria was on nearly 79% ground turkey, 71% pork chops, 62% beef, 36% chicken. Non-for-profit moms across America also found several veterinary antibiotics and compounds called ionophores, in fast food meat.

Sources: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/care-coordination/only-20-of-supermarket-meats-did-not-contain-superbugs-in-2015.html

https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/_press-release Claim: Researchers from George Washington University and In-Dept also tested 669 cattle within the “No Antibiotics Ever” program overseen by the USDA and found that 15% of the animals still tested positive for at least one antibiotic. They also found that 26% of cattle a in Global Animal Partnership Program, had also received antibiotics.

Sources: https://www.consumerreports.org/health/no-antibiotic-claims-on-beef-may-not-be-reliable-a3433700667/

Claim: Free range suggests chickens on an open field roaming, but only requires outdoor access, often through small doors, leading to limited outdoor spaces, sometimes just concrete or dirt plots (crocker holes).

Sources: https://certifiedhumane.org/range-requirements/ https://www.foodandwine.com/egg-buying-guide-8717579

Claim: Number five is vegetarian fed. While touted as a positive label, it overlooks the natural omnivorous diet of chickens and pigs, leading to potential nutrient deficiencies. Moreover, it implies they're raised in confinement without access to pasture for natural foraging behaviors,

Sources: https://www.pasturebird.com/blogs/farmtalk/why-chickens-arent-vegetarians?srsltid=AfmBOop2kj4L7NLpwQorK7nWmuI8AN-h_kN0UD2LzfJ4yOcBRSmJrJvU

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/384740/foster-farms-usda-humane-story?

https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/farm-ranch/chickens-are-omnivores-its-no-dilemma/#gsc.tab=0

Claim: Number seven is organic. USDA Organic certification does assure third party inspection and prohibits antibiotics, growth hormones, GMO feed, and synthetic fertilizers.

Sources: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Organic%20Livestock%20Requirements.pdf

Claim: Under USDA regulations, cows need only 120 days on pasture annually and may be fed in feedlots. For birds, screen porches can count as outdoor access. Additionally, organic standards lack care requirements for weaning, space, transport, and harvesting. While better, organic still has significant gaps.

Sources: https://awionline.org/sites/default/files/products/FA-AWI-Food-Label-Guide-Full.pdf

Claim: The misuse of the grass fed label drove us to establish wild pastures and ethical meat delivery service due to the fact that in 2016 the USDA stopped regulating the grass fed label making it far more prone to abuse..

Sources: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/understanding-ams-withdrawal-two-voluntary-marketing-claim-standards#%3A%7E%3Atext=Last+week%2C+USDA%27s+Agricultural+Marketing%2CNaturally+Raised+Marketing+Claim+Standard.

Claim: Research by doctor Jason Rowntree showed many producers selling “grass fed” meat were likely feeding cattle grains evident from their high omega six to 3 ratio. Some cattle are also confined and fed grass and fed grass pellets.

Sources: https://green-acres.org/grass_fed_production_methods/ https://green-acres.org/variation-in-nutritional-quality-of-us-grassfed-beef/

Claim: Number 9 is grading (Prime, Choice, Select): Beef grades primarily reflect fat distribution and do not indicate how the animal was raised. They often suggest grain feeding.

Sources: https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/carcass-beef-grades-and-standards

Claim: Finally, "no hormones added" is relevant for beef and pork but meaningless for chicken, poultry, bison, or veal, as hormone use in chickens has been illegal for decades.

Source: https://www.awionline.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/FA-AWI-Food-Label-Guide-Full.pdf

Claim: Many meat claims rely on written descriptions from producers without verification. To ensure authenticity, look for third-party certifications from organizations that inspect and verify that animals are raised under specific welfare standards. Check for logos on labels or visit their websites for certified producers. The USDA also offers “process verified” and organic shields, which involve inspections.

Source: https://cefs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/NCC-Label-Claims-Final_seb.pdf?x47549

Claim: For beef, lamb, goat, pork, and bison, AGA requires inspections every 15 months. Certified animals are grass-fed, free from GMOs, antibiotics, and hormones, with a focus on environmental stewardship. They also certify truly pastured pork. For eggs and poultry, look for pastured claims and call the company if necessary and consider AWA certification for continuous outdoor access and humane practices. Certified Humane offers another option, though its standards are less stringent, permitting antibiotics in illness. Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/food-labels/seals-and-claims/american-grassfed

Claim: look for farms that use Regenerative practices: For those interested in buying meat that restores environmental health, as about regenerative practices or look for certifications like Certified Regenerative, Regenerative Organic, The Real Organic Project, RegenScore, Land To Market, and Regenified. These programs focus on restoring environmental health, building soil, and enhancing biodiversity. Sources: https://agreenerworld.org/certifications/certified-regenerative/ https://regenorganic.org/ https://regenified.com/ https://rfsi-forum.com/regenerative-certifications-cheat-sheet/