Decoding the 'Natural' Label in Beef
Updated: 4 hours ago
The natural label in beef tells you less than you think. Here is what it means, what it leaves out, and what to check instead.
Decoding the natural label in beef
Picture it: a Sunday grocery run, your healthy recipe ideas saved, and your list checked off. You are taking your health into your own hands, and clean ingredients and quality meat that does not lack flavor are your priority. Produce, check. Pantry items, check. Now you reach the meat section, and the motivation starts to fade as you read label after label: "All Natural Beef," "Natural Grass Fed Beef," and more.
So what does natural beef really mean? Does it mean grass-fed? Does it mean humanely raised? We are here to help you decode the natural label in beef.
What does natural mean on a beef label?
The USDA defines natural as a product that does not contain artificial flavor or flavoring, coloring ingredient, chemical preservative, or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient, and that is not more than minimally processed (ground, for example). That means most beef on the market can claim the title of natural. It is not common to find artificial flavors or coloring in any beef, whether it is better for you or not.
All products claiming to be natural must include a brief statement explaining what natural means to that brand, so the definition varies by brand. That is what makes decoding the natural label in beef hard. And it does not cover added antibiotics, added hormones, or what the cattle were fed throughout their lives. Our advice: find the brand's definition of natural on the packaging or on its website, and make sure it matches what you are looking for.
What the natural label does not tell you
Whether the cattle were grass-fed, or finished on grass.
Whether hormones were added.
Whether antibiotics were used.
How the animals were raised and treated.
For a full walkthrough of the other labels, read understanding the meat label.
What matters more than the word natural
At Pre, we focus on specifics instead of a single word. Here is what stands behind every Pre pack:
100% Grass-Fed & Finished
Our cattle eat grass for their entire lives and are never finished on grain. Read the full breakdown in grass fed beef vs. grass finished beef.
No added hormones
Like other animals, cattle produce and regulate the hormones they need every day. "No added hormones" means our cattle are never given additional hormones to promote growth. We believe the best beef comes from cattle raised in the right conditions with proper care, and they do not need extra hormones to grow.
No sub-therapeutic antibiotics
You cannot get the best beef by dosing cattle with unnecessary antibiotics, which is common in feedlots because of the high rate of disease. The cattle we source have room to roam rather than being kept in tight spaces, so illness is easier to spot. If antibiotics are ever needed, a trained veterinarian identifies and isolates the sick animal, and it stays separated from the herd until the antibiotics have left its system. New Zealand and Australia have some of the lowest rates of antibiotic use in the world, which is a major reason we source from these countries. Learn more in no added antibiotics explained.
Raised on pasture, year-round
We believe the best way to raise cattle is the way it has been done for thousands of years: on pasture for their entire lives, munching away on grass in one of the most natural environments in the world. We chose New Zealand and Australia as the home for Pre because of the year-round climate, which creates quality soil and green grass.
How to choose beef beyond the natural label
Next time you are looking for beef you can feel good about, look past the word natural. Check the grass-fed claim, the hormone and antibiotic wording, and where the beef comes from. We partner with reputable grass-fed beef farmers and hold every source to our 15 points of curation. To see what every claim on a Pre pack means, read what every claim on Pre® grass-fed beef actually means.
FAQ
Does natural beef mean grass-fed?
No. The USDA's natural definition does not cover what the cattle were fed, so natural beef can come from grain-fed cattle.
Does natural beef mean no added hormones?
Not necessarily. The natural definition covers artificial ingredients and processing after harvest, not hormones or antibiotics given to the animal.
What should I look for instead?
Look for specific claims like 100% grass-fed and finished, no added hormones, and no sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and read the brand's definition of natural on the package.
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.
