Part 3: Decoding Beef Labels

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Shopping for beef can be confusing! Here’s what the most common labels actually mean, and which ones you can trust.

Common Label Terms

  • Natural
    Unfortunately, this word doesn’t mean much. There’s no legal definition regulating its use on meat. It generally implies “minimally processed” with no artificial ingredients — but it says nothing about what the animal ate, or whether it received antibiotics or hormones. Companies decide for themselves when to use this label.

  • USDA Organic
    Cattle with this label are fed certified organic feed, which means no GMOs or synthetic pesticides on the feed (this feed usually includes grains like corn or soy.) The cattle must have access to at least some pasture and cannot receive antibiotics or hormones.

  • Naturally Raised (NE3)
    This historically meant no antibiotics, no hormones, and no animal by-products, but the USDA program monitoring this ended in 2016, so enforcement is now voluntary.

  • Grass-Fed
    USDA defines this as a grass/forage diet from calf weaning onward, with pasture access. However, label use is self-verified unless it states that it’s third-party certified.

  • Grass-Finished
    Cattle eat only grass/forage throughout their life, including the finishing stage before slaughter. This potentially avoids the nutrient losses from late-stage grain feeding.

  • 100% Grass-Fed
    This is the strictest diet standard, meaning the animal ate only grass or forage for its entire life. It’s most trustworthy when the claim is USDA-verified or backed by a respected third-party certification such as the American Grassfed Association (AGA).

  • AGA Seal
    The AGA seal guarantees a grass-only diet, no confinement, no hormones, and no antibiotics. It’s one of the most credible beef certifications available.

Best Bets for Quality Meat

  • Look for AGA, Certified Organic, or USDA-verified 100% grass-fed.

  • Consider alternatives like bison, which are typically grass-fed and raised without added hormones or antibiotics.

  • When in doubt, ask your farmer or butcher about their practices.

Want to know why this matters in the first place? Read [Part 1: What “Grass-Fed” Really Means].
Curious about what “conventional beef” really is? Read [Part 2: What’s Really in Conventional Beef].
Interested in improving your own nutrition? [Schedule a free 20-minute discovery call here].