FCSTAT: Meat Myths and Labeling Hype
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Meat myths and labeling hype: What is the Truth? Janeal Yancey, Ph.D. Meat Science University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Transcript of FCSTAT: Meat Myths and Labeling Hype
Meat myths and labeling hype:
What is the Truth?
Janeal Yancey, Ph.D.Meat Science
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Labels
Food labels
Labeling Regulation• United States Dept. of Agriculture– Food Safety Inspection Service– Ag. Marketing Service
• Food and Drug Administration
• Federal Trade Commission
Organic Regulation• Organic – USDA Ag. Marketing Service– National Organic Program
• Beef• Pork• Chicken
• Strict rules with auditing
Organic Livestock and Poultry
• No hormones given• Only fed organic feed • Only allowed to graze organic pasture
• Must be allowed to graze 120 d/year– 30% dry matter intake
• Land maintained organic for 3 years• Animals ARE vaccinated• Continuous confinement indoors prohibited
Organic labeling
Natural • Naturally raised• All natural• Natural ingredients
Natural (USDA)USDA Definition: product does not contain any… • artificial flavor or flavoring, • coloring ingredient, or • chemical preservative, or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient; and the product and its ingredients are not more than
•minimally processed.
Natural (USDA)• Usually accompanies another claim
– Grass fed– Antibiotic free– No hormones– Etc…
‘Natural’ refers to the product
• Most beef and pork is considered natural before it is processed
• Only applies to meat and eggs
Naturally raisedUSDA Definition: livestock raised without… •growth promotants •antibiotics •animal byproducts
January, 2009
Naturally raised• May be grain fed or grass fed• Given vitamin and mineral supplements
• No claim of confinement or production system
Grass fed beefUSDA Definition: Grass and forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning.
• Must have access to pasture during growing season
• Allowed vitamin and mineral supplements
October, 2007
Its really ALL grass-fed beef• Cattle are ruminants – Grass = energy
• All cattle spend most of their lives eating grass
• Last 120-160 d on grain
AntibioticsUSDA Definition: The terms "no antibiotics added" or “raised without antibiotics” may be used on labels for meat or poultry products if sufficient documentation is provided by the producer to the Agency demonstrating that the animals were raised without antibiotics.
Link
Antibiotics• Withdrawal times
Antibiotics• Residue testing – FDA tests meat and milk for antibiotic residues –All milk (organic and conventional) is tested for antibiotics
–Most susceptible populations of meat, most tested
Hormones
HORMONE FREE BEEF
***all meat, milk, and eggs contain hormones
Hormones in pork and poultry
• It is unlawful to use exogenous hormones when raising pigs or poultry
• If ‘raised without hormones’ is on the label, it must be followed with a statement stating that its use is prohibited.
Hormones and beefUSDA Definition:• The term "no hormones administered" may be approved for use on the label of beef products if sufficient documentation is provided to the Agency by the producer showing no hormones have been used in raising the animals.
Link
More about hormones• Synthetic Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone– Cattle grow faster with less feed– Produce more meat, less fat
• More beef using fewer natural resources
Hormones in beef8 oz steak
implanted steer
5.1 ng estrogen
8 oz steak non-implanted
steer
3.5 ng estrogen
Hormones and milk• Different hormones used in milk production…
• rBST – Bovine somatotropin – Growth hormone
Humane certified
QuestionsJaneal Yancey, Ph.D.
[email protected] 479-575-4115: Cell 870-688-4247
@MeatCounterMom
Mom at the Meat Counter
MeatCounterMom
Janeal Yancey
momatthemeatcounter.blogspot.com
uark.academia.edu/JanealYancey
