| Characterizing food is like labeling people. Too often, | | | | doesn't mean much on a meat label. The FDA does |
| the description is misleading, or doesn't give you a full | | | | not restrict the use of the term "natural" except for |
| picture of what's inside. Organic meat, natural meat, | | | | added color, synthetic substances, and flavors. For |
| grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, hormone-free | | | | example: meat labeled natural can be raised on farms |
| milk?there are a lot of terms floating around out there | | | | that use pesticides on their fields and in their animal |
| in the shopping place. | | | | feed. |
| So what should the average consumer do? When it | | | | Hormone Free ? This claim can be misleading even |
| comes to agricultural products such as produce, grains, | | | | when it's technically true. All poultry is free of |
| dairy and meats, most of us don't have the luxury of | | | | hormones. Hormones haven't been granted in poultry |
| getting to know our local farms and farmers. Here are | | | | or pork in the U.S. since 1959. |
| some general tips: | | | | Organic ? When you see the USDA "organic" label, |
| 1. Buy your meat, dairy and produce from a known | | | | you know the food inside has passed stringent |
| source. | | | | guidelines. Here's a summary of what it means when |
| 2. Learn how to "read between the lines" of food | | | | meat passes the organic test: |
| labels. | | | | - Organic farmers do not use antibiotics or synthetic |
| 3. Prioritize based on concerns such as taste, | | | | growth hormones. |
| convenience, health, food safety, the environment, | | | | - Organic meat comes from animals that are given 100 |
| humane animal treatment, and supporting small family | | | | percent organic feed. |
| farms. | | | | - Organic animals are given access to the outdoors |
| 4. Advocate for precise labeling by the USDA and the | | | | and/or pastures. |
| FDA. | | | | - Organic farms do no use most conventional |
| Is Organic Meat Different Than Natural Meat? | | | | pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bioengineering, or ionizing |
| The simple answer to the above question is Yes. | | | | radiation. |
| While some producers of "natural meat" may abide by | | | | - Organic farmers emphasize the use of renewable |
| organic farming practices, there is no strict definition of | | | | resources and the conservation of soil and water to |
| the label. Organic meat, on the other hand, is required | | | | enhance environmental quality for future generations. |
| to abide to strict standards established bythe USDA | | | | - Organic farms are inspected by a |
| National Organic Program. | | | | Government-approved certifier to make sure the |
| Here's are some basic, useful definitions of Natural, | | | | farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet |
| Hormone Free, Organic and Grass Fed: | | | | USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or |
| Natural ? "Natural" sounds good, but the truth is that it | | | | process organic meats must be certified, too. |