Understanding the Meat Label
Updated: 5 hours ago
Understanding the meat label starts with knowing what each claim does and does not tell you. Our Quality Manager breaks down the labels you will see in the meat aisle.
Beef geek or not, labels are downright confusing. No matter what you are buying, it seems every package has a claim or certification you are supposed to understand, and that can make for a stressful grocery trip. You are not alone. According to SWNS Research, 53% of Americans find food labels misleading. Understanding labels is incredibly important for meat.
Julie Divis, our Quality Manager, put together a simple, clear labeling guide to help you understand exactly what each label means, so you can breeze through the meat aisle like a pro.
Understanding the meat label: meat labeling 101
Grass fed
Cattle eat freshly grazed or stored grasses (hay, silage) until the finishing period. Finishing is on grass or grain, and a plain "grass fed" label does not mean the animal was finished on grass alone. Look for "grass fed and finished" or "100% grass fed" to be sure. Read the full breakdown in grass fed beef vs. grass finished beef.
Pre note: We source from areas of Australia and New Zealand with climates mild enough to provide fresh grass to graze on year-round.
Pasture raised
It is a good idea to read the packaging, because each company defines "pasture raised" differently. At a minimum, animals must have continuous free access to the outdoors for 120 days per year.
Pre note: Pre Brands defines pasture raised as all cattle being out in the fresh air, on pasture year-round with continuous, free access to grass-feeding, never being confined to a feedlot.
Humanely raised
There is no legal or agreed-upon definition of humanely raised. Each company is required to define it for itself on the packaging.
Certified Humane
This is a third-party certification for audited farms that meet certain conditions regarding the environment, considerate handling, and feed nutrition. Companies must pay to be certified, which can be financially out of reach for those who source from many farms.
Pre note: We source from farms where humane handling is standard, supported by our supply partners' audit programs.
Non-GMO Project Verified
This is a third-party certification for brands that are audited for GMO use.
Pre note: Pre beef is Non-GMO Project Verified. Our grass fed and finished beef is raised on pastures in compliance with Non-GMO Project standards for avoidance of genetically engineered ingredients. Read more in living non-GMO with clean beef.
Antibiotic claims
No antibiotics ever, no antibiotics administered, raised without antibiotics: the animal has not been given antibiotics at any time, even if it was sick.
No sub-therapeutic antibiotics (the wording on Pre packs): animals do not receive antibiotics on a daily basis, and only receive antibiotics in the case of illness. A sick animal is treated and removed from the herd until all antibiotics are out of its system.
No added antibiotics: an older way of saying the same thing. Antibiotics can only be given by a veterinarian when necessary to treat disease.
For the details, read no added antibiotics explained and what are sub-therapeutic antibiotics?
Hormone claims
No hormones or hormone-free: this is not possible, because all multi-cell organisms contain naturally occurring hormones, even plants.
No added hormones: no growth hormones have been given to the animals at any time. This is the wording on Pre packs.
Natural and variations
"Natural" applies only to how meat is processed after harvest: no artificial ingredients or added color, and only minimally processed. Each company must define what it means by natural.
Organic
Organic does not describe the type of feed (grass or grain). It requires that the feed be organic, which means it cannot be exposed to synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, GMOs, and other synthetic contaminants. The animals must also be raised in living conditions that allow natural behaviors, and cannot be given hormones or antibiotics. Organic does not cover further details about animal welfare.
Pre note: Pre beef does not carry an organic claim. It is sourced from small farmers in New Zealand and Australia, where 100% grass feeding, no sub-therapeutic antibiotics, no added hormones, and humane treatment are standard. See grass-fed vs. organic beef for the full comparison.
In conclusion
The best way to have complete confidence in your beef is to contact the brand and find out where the animal was raised, what it ate during its lifespan, and how it was processed and packaged. Then ask yourself if it delivers the taste and nutrition you want. You have to look at the big picture, and you will not find that on a label. For every claim on a Pre pack, see what every claim on Pre® grass-fed beef actually means.
Definitions
Finishing: what cattle are fed during the last part of their lives. Grain finishing is an energy-dense diet that increases weight and fat quickly. Cattle finished on grass keep grazing on pasture until they reach the desired weight, which may take longer.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) whose genetic material has been modified in a lab using genetic engineering or technology.
Weaning: the period when young cattle transition from their mother's milk to grazing on pasture.
FAQ
What does 'grass fed' on a label mean?
Cattle eat freshly grazed or stored grasses until the finishing period. A plain 'grass fed' label does not tell you what the cattle were finished on, so look for 'grass fed and finished' or '100% grass fed.'
Is 'hormone-free' beef possible?
No. All multi-cell organisms have naturally occurring hormones. 'No added hormones' means no growth hormones were given to the animals.
Does Pre beef carry an organic claim?
No. Pre beef is 100% Grass-Fed & Finished, Non-GMO Project Verified, and carries no added hormones and no sub-therapeutic antibiotics claims. It does not carry an organic claim.
Where can I buy Pre 100% Grass-Fed & Finished Beef?
Pre Brands beef is a lean, High Protein, delicious way to keep dinner healthy. Use our store locator to find a store near you, browse all Pre products, or find us on Instacart.
