By Karen Miltner • Staff writer • August 12, 2008
KMILTNER@DemocratandChronicle.com
MEATS, POULTRY, EGGS, DAIRY
Grass-fed:
Grass-fed animals used for meat and dairy products require fewer commercial fertilizers, antibiotics and fuel than traditional livestock agriculture. If good practices are followed, grass-fed meat farming also restores pasture ecosystems and prevents soil erosion. Grass-fed meats are generally leaner and have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients, proponents say.
The tricky thing about grass-fed claims that appear on beef and other meats is that even cattle that are fattened on grain in feedlots start out the first year eating grass. Some producers would still attach the grass-fed claim.
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services came out with a new voluntary standard for grass-fed last fall that requires meats labeled grass-fed to have only grass and forage diet through its lifetime, with the exception of milk consumed before the animals are weaned. It also calls for animals to have pasture access during the growing season. Products that carry the “USDA Process Verified” shield along with the “U.S. Grassfed” claim have been inspected and verified to meet these federal standards.
Pasture-raised, pastured:
This is a general term used for meats, eggs and dairy products from animals that are raised entirely or in part on pasture. To really know what pasture-raised means, you must ask the producer.
No hormones
If you see terms like these on pork or poultry products, don’t give the producer any special kudos, as the USDA already forbids added hormones in pork and poultry production. That is not the case with beef and dairy, where hormones can be administered. Organic and Biodynamic certifications already ensure no added hormones.
Certified Humane Raised and Handled
Meats, poultry, dairy products and eggs that earn this certification have been inspected and verified to ensure that animals are treated in a humane manner from birth to slaughter.
Free-range, free-roaming, cage-free
Free-range and free-roaming are extremely vague terms applied mostly to eggs and poultry (but sometimes also to meats) that have little meaning until you ask the producer. According to the USDA, free-range chickens must have access to the outdoors, but the agency does not say how much. It could be the birds are raised mostly on pasture, or it could be the barn door is left open for 10 minutes a day. The USDA definition does not apply to eggs.
Certified Vegan
This certified logo, overseen by the Vegan Awareness Foundation (also known as Vegan Action), is seen on a variety of processed foods as well as personal hygiene and household cleaning products. Qualified products do not include animal ingredients or byproducts and have not been tested on animals. The program does not test or monitor manufacturers, but it requires written statements about their practices.
All vegan, 100 percent vegan, vegan
These are general terms that imply the product was not derived from animals and, perhaps, did not include animal testing, but there is no standard definition.
The Democrat and Chronicle: Eco-labels on Food Can Cook Up Confusion
Posted: August 12, 2008 by Certified Humane
By Karen Miltner • Staff writer • August 12, 2008
KMILTNER@DemocratandChronicle.com
MEATS, POULTRY, EGGS, DAIRY
Grass-fed:
Grass-fed animals used for meat and dairy products require fewer commercial fertilizers, antibiotics and fuel than traditional livestock agriculture. If good practices are followed, grass-fed meat farming also restores pasture ecosystems and prevents soil erosion. Grass-fed meats are generally leaner and have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients, proponents say.
The tricky thing about grass-fed claims that appear on beef and other meats is that even cattle that are fattened on grain in feedlots start out the first year eating grass. Some producers would still attach the grass-fed claim.
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services came out with a new voluntary standard for grass-fed last fall that requires meats labeled grass-fed to have only grass and forage diet through its lifetime, with the exception of milk consumed before the animals are weaned. It also calls for animals to have pasture access during the growing season. Products that carry the “USDA Process Verified” shield along with the “U.S. Grassfed” claim have been inspected and verified to meet these federal standards.
Pasture-raised, pastured:
This is a general term used for meats, eggs and dairy products from animals that are raised entirely or in part on pasture. To really know what pasture-raised means, you must ask the producer.
No hormones
If you see terms like these on pork or poultry products, don’t give the producer any special kudos, as the USDA already forbids added hormones in pork and poultry production. That is not the case with beef and dairy, where hormones can be administered. Organic and Biodynamic certifications already ensure no added hormones.
Certified Humane Raised and Handled
Meats, poultry, dairy products and eggs that earn this certification have been inspected and verified to ensure that animals are treated in a humane manner from birth to slaughter.
Free-range, free-roaming, cage-free
Free-range and free-roaming are extremely vague terms applied mostly to eggs and poultry (but sometimes also to meats) that have little meaning until you ask the producer. According to the USDA, free-range chickens must have access to the outdoors, but the agency does not say how much. It could be the birds are raised mostly on pasture, or it could be the barn door is left open for 10 minutes a day. The USDA definition does not apply to eggs.
Certified Vegan
This certified logo, overseen by the Vegan Awareness Foundation (also known as Vegan Action), is seen on a variety of processed foods as well as personal hygiene and household cleaning products. Qualified products do not include animal ingredients or byproducts and have not been tested on animals. The program does not test or monitor manufacturers, but it requires written statements about their practices.
All vegan, 100 percent vegan, vegan
These are general terms that imply the product was not derived from animals and, perhaps, did not include animal testing, but there is no standard definition.
Category: news