Confusing Meat Labels

Food labels can be extremely confusing, especially because there are so many these days. Many people believe the terms "all natural" and "organic" are synonymous; however, that is far from the truth. Depending on the region you live in, there are many certification bodies for organic foods. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. If a product has a USDA Organic label, that means the item is produced and processed according to the USDA standards. These standards include that it is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, hormones, and antibiotics. Labels like “all-natural” meat and “free range” don’t have true credibility because inspections aren’t required to prove if they are free of artificial ingredients, such as preservatives, or whether the animal has been fed hormones or antibiotics. So, when you are buying chicken, or any meat, you should be wary of labels and make sure you are buying certified organic. Safety aside, all-natural and free-range meats are not nearly as nutritious as true organic meats. Many conventional supermarkets will carry natural meats but not true organic meats. Make sure you read labels, and don’t be afraid to ask the butcher if you are unsure about what you are buying. So choose wisely!