Defining The Terms for the Meat-Eaters

I all the time get asked what's the difference in organic, natural, cage-free? It's so awesome that everyone is asking questions! Why would you want to pay more for a label that doesn't even make sense to you? Cage-free for example: Well, I thought the cute baby chickens are on a field with hills where the sun always shines brightest and Belle from Beauty & The Beast sings and feeds them! Well, at least that's what I have always pictured when I purchased eggs. Turns out, only 35% of the land in the United States is used for animal grazing. Then that raises my next question..... How is the U.S. #1 in the top 6 of biggest cattle production? The answer is America has the capabilities to get things done fast! The faster you can get it to the consumers the better! This is the American way. Since 2002, there has been a health-conscious rise. People now want to know what were eating, and the more you know, the more you're all of a sudden not that hungry!

I wanted to compile a lot of the grocery store terms that have you leaving with a warm fuzzy feeling and an extra $2 out of your wallet or maybe just the contrary, you don't see the hype of paying extra for something that is "organic".

FREE-RANGE & FREE- ROAMING-regulated by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
• This is not regulated for cows, pigs, sheep or goats. So, if you see this label on any of those then it is at the farmer's discretion.
• This is only regulated for birds.
• This means that the birds will be confinement however they are allowed access to the outdoors. This doesn't mean they will everyday.
• This can include having thousands of livestock in a single-warehouse like structure, a "grow-out shed" leaving the animals to stand on fecal matter and breathe in toxic fumes to kill the bacteria being produced.

CAGE-FREE
• This is not regulated. Again, this is at the farming company's discretion.
• This title can include livestock being severely crowded.
• This does not protect newborn male chicks. Farming company's who specialize in egg-laying hens often do away with the newborn male chicks; because, there is no use for them in their production. The methods of killing are not regulated. Thus, whatever is convenient to the industry which includes suffocating, gassing, grinding, as well as other procedures. This infuriates animal rights activists.

GRASS-FED-regulated by the USDA
• Cattle must be fed grass instead of grains and soybeans
• Cattle can be confined.
• Label does not equate grazing in a pasture.
• Look for small print on the package "grain finished". This tells you it spent time in confinement.

NO ANTIBIOTICS-regulated by the USDA
• Does not permit the use of any kind of antibiotics

NO HORMONES-regulated by the USDA
• USDA does not permit any use of hormone use in any birds or pigs. So, all birds and pigs are hormone free.
• Any other kinds of meat with this label is at the farming company's discretion.

ALL NATURAL-regulated by the USDA
• There are no artificial ingredients or colorings.
• This is minimally processed.
• This definition can be used for every all natural product not just meats.

FARM-RAISED-regulated by the USDA
• There are use of hormones, anitbiotics, and cages.
• There are no strict regulations for proper fish handling.

WILD-CAUGHT
• Regulations are being implemented and details are being voted upon.
• The National Organic Standard Board label wild-caught as organic. They are working to set strict regulations on fisheries amounts and procedures.
• Also, the NOSB are working on using wild-caught to be used for fish meal for the farm-raised fish.

These terms are defined by a Johnson & Wales lecture by Chef Bolinger in January 2008 in my class, Skills of Meatcutting.

I hope this helps with reading labels next time you are at the meat counter! I realize it is much easier just not to think about it. I understand it is sometimes costly. My personal standard is if I cannot afford the quality meats, I opt for beans, legumes, nuts for my protein. Also, I have began using coupons as much as possible! I am getting a lot of my coupons from the Grocery Game. Choose wisely!