As many of you know, I had the {true} honor of attending my very first ShiftCon event last month. ShiftCon is an eco-wellness influencer conference that focuses on food, wellness, health, sustainability, and platform growth. It’s no secret that I probably only really live up to a few of those elements. Even as a “Chiro-wife” that for the most part subscribes to a more natural and holistic lifestyle than most, I don’t really describe myself as “crunchy.” Really, I’m more like soggy granola when it comes down to it. And perhaps I could say I’m light green when it comes to my overall value system and practices.
With that said, spending time with the ShiftCon community was really inspiring and refreshing. Refreshing because there was an overall acceptance of where I stand on certain issues (i.e. I do what I can and try my best for my family). Inspiring in the sense that I walked away with some very simple and practical {little} steps even I can do towards making healthier decisions for my body, my family, and the earth.
You will find me delve much deeper into some of the things I learned and products I discovered over the next few weeks/months, but if there’s one major tip I can leave you guys with today, its a simple 3 words:
READ THE LABELS.
Ok, and 3 more…
UNDERSTAND THE LABELS.
So, without further ado, here are some common terms you’ll find particularly on labels of meat products you should understand:
Source: American Grassfed Association
Grain-fed vs Grassfed
As the name suggests, this label means that an animal was fed grain at some point in life, likely in the last few months of life. This label exists because if an animal has EVER been fed corn, soy, brewers grain, or other grain-based feed, the meat cannot technically be labeled as grassfed.
With that said, the label “grassfed” alone is entire subject to the honor system, as there are no audits or inspections that determine this to be true, other than a signed affidavit by the producer. The affidavit attests that the animals were fed a 100% forage diet. Important: This label does not speak to whether or not the animal has been given any antibiotics, or has lived in confinement.
AGA Certified Grassfed
The American Grassfed Association is the only third-party that audits these claims and insures that the animal is 100% grassfed, has not been confined, not given antibiotics or hormones, and that they are raised in this country.
Natural
This is a USDA regulated term that applies to a finished meat product. It means that no artificial ingredients or color has been added and it has only been minimally processed. The term has nothing to do with HOW the animal was raised or fed.
Naturally Raised
This is also a USDA regulated term and more specifically means that the animal has never been feed animal by-products, growth hormones, or antibiotics.
Organic
Other than the AGA certified grassfed label, this is the only other label that indicates that an audit has been made. In order to be classified as organic, livestock must have been raised and fed:
- without antibiotics or synthetic hormones
- pesticide and herbicide free
- vegetarian
- non-GMO
What the organic label does not speak to is whether or not the animal has lived in confinement. Also, there are some producers who have followed these organic standards, but for whatever reason did not pursue organic certification. The best thing to do if you’re unsure is to research more about a particular brand.
Label terms with no legal definition
Grass Finished
If an animal is grassfed, by definition, it’s grass-finished.
Pasture Raised
This is generally a term used on pork and poultry products, which are never 100% grassfed. Its a general term for an animal that isn’t confined.
I am guilty of not reading labels most of the time. I probably should, but being picky – I eat what I like 🙂
This is great information. Food labels can give us vital info on our food, but it only helps us if we understand it! Thanks.
Thanks so much for this post. I have to tell you, I had almost all of these wrong. I was so sure I had them right, too. Bookmarking!
Great information, it can be confusing at the market to know what the various terminology means. It’s important to be educated on what we’re eating!
Food labels can be kind of confusing. Thanks for posting this easy explanation of a lot of different terms!
I had no idea about some of these. I guess I need to look at my meat more carefully.
Thanks for the informative article here – I was wondering about what some of these terms actually mean. I plan on saving this to share with my family.
Also, you are very pretty! I like your passion for getting involved with many different topics.
This is a really helpful post! I really want to know the meaning of these labels, thanks for sharing this!
I’m guilty of not reading labels in the food products I buy. I need to be more conscious about it. 🙁
This is really important! There is so much information out there and sometimes it is really hard to know what they mean!
This is a great post! A lot of people don’t read the labels and when they do, they don’t really understand what they are reading. I know it took me a long time to figure them out.
Thanks for sharing this information. Very important info at that. It is crazy how food labels are misleading.
Great info! its always great to know and keep track of labels. I will admit its usually the last thing I think to look at so now I’ll be more aware!
Thanks for sharing a ton of information. I read labels but if there are things there that I don’t understand, I just let it pass and put the item in my cart anyway. After having read this post, now I know what I’m getting!
It’s so tough because once I feel like I’ve got it figured out, a new sticker will pop up and I have no idea. Thanks for breaking it all down so I know what I’m buying.