Food Fact Friday: Food Labels
Photo by Derick McKinney on Unsplash
Understanding the confusing jargon.
When it comes to animal products at the grocery store, the range of choices is great, but can also be overwhelming AND misleading due to the labeling. Here is some help:
Antibiotic Free, No Antibiotics, or No Antibiotics Administered all mean the same thing. No antibiotics were given to the animal during its' lifetime. Hormone Free means that no hormones have been administered to the animal. rBGH-free or rBst-free: means that these genetically engineered growth hormones have NOT been injected into cows to increase milk production.
Cage Free is when birds are raised without cages, but that is not the same as being raised outside, and may still mean that the birds were raised indoors in crowded conditions. Pasture Raised or Pastured means that the animal was raised outdoors and was able to eat grasses and other plants rather than being fattened on grain in a barn or feedlot. In this environment the animals can move freely and carry out their natural behaviors, allowing for a more humane experience for the animal. Free Range is used only in egg and poultry production, and it means that the producers allow the birds access to the outdoors so they can engage in natural behaviors. It does not necessarily mean that the products are cruelty free, antibiotic free, or that the animals spent the majority of their time outdoors.
Certified Naturally Grown: is an alternative to organic for farmers who may find it expensive or time consuming to get or maintain the USDA Organic label. This label means that the food was grown using responsible soil management, without the use of synthetic pesticides on plants, or hormones and antibiotics on animals.
GMO-Free, Non-GMO, or No GMO's GMO means genetically modified organism and occurs when a plant or animal has been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. Therefore, if there are no GMO's - the product was not subjected to this practice.
Grain Fed signifies that the animals was fed grain, usually corn; this is typical of most meat you find in the grocery store. Grass Fed signifies that the animals were fed their natural diet - grass and plant materials they would consume naturally. In addition to being more humane, grass fed meat is leaner and lower in fat and calories than grain fed meat.
Healthy Foods with this label must be low in saturated fat, and contain limited amounts of cholesterol and sodium. They must also contain at least 10% of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, protein and fiber.
Natural is a term that has no standards except when used on meat and poultry. Meat or chicken with this label can only undergo minimal processing, no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, or other artificial ingredients.
Organic has many criteria, which explains the higher price point. Organic material is grown without the application of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and sewage sludge for three years prior to certification and then continually moving forward. No GMO's or irradiation can be used, and positive farming practices like soil building, manure management, and crop rotation practices are employed. Producers provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock, use no antibiotics or hormones, have practices to avoid contamination of organic products, and keep records of all of its operations.
If an animal is being raised, or a plant is being grown like it was when our grandparents were alive, you will find the product to be more nutritious, more humane, more sustainable and more pesticide free. Organic is the closest we can get to that now and although it is more expensive, there are ways to mitigate the costs by being a savvy shopper. Educating yourself about EXACTLY what is going into your body (good and bad) is one of the primary ways to take control of your health.
