Women's Health provides the truth behind the labeling on the beef you're buying:
If it says...
Natural: All fresh meat qualifies as natural (captain obvious) as long as it is not more than minimally processed - which is what the USDA requires. Don't choose "natural" beef, especially if the price is marked up.
Organic: According to USDA, the criteria to state that foods are organic "cannot contain hormones or antibiotics, and the animals must have been fed a vegetarian, pesticide-and herbicide-free diet without genetically modified sources or animal by-products, and had continuous access to pastures." This is why I love organic.
Grass-fed: Another captain obvious moment here since nearly all cattle are fed grass at some point in their lives, making the term "grass-fed" meaningless. Don't choose "grass-fed" beef, especially if the price is marked up.
Pasture-raised: There is no specific pasture-raised certification, but animals raised this way can roam freely in their natural environment.
Certified Angus Beef: Nearly 65% of cattle are black-hided and receive the Angus stamp, but only 25% meet the Certified Angus Beef standards, making it the best quality beef.
rBGH-free or rBST-free: Signifies that the beef product come from a cow that was not treated with a genetically engineered growth hormone that artificially increases milk products, which may cause human health problems!
So next time you're at the fresh meat market at your local grocery, you'll know what to stay away from and what to take home for dinner.
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