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Grain-Fed Beef Most widely produced kind of beef Generally graze on pasture before moving to a feedlot where they are fed a high-energy, grain-based diet Consumers appreciate grain-fed beef because of its tenderness, rich taste and avor-enhancing marbling Grass-Finished Beef Come from cattle whose feed source was grass and/ or forage for their entire lives Cannot be fed grain or grain by-products Cannot be labeled with a grass-fed or grass-finished claim unless verified by the AMS, the USDA agency that oversees marketing agreements and orders Often described as having a distinctly different flavor than grain-fed beef Certied Organic Beef Must meet USDA standards set by the Organic Foods Production Act Must be fed 100-percent organic feed and must be certified through AMS Cannot be administered growth hormones or antibiotics Natural Beef By definition, most beef is natural Natural may be used on a beef label if the beef does not contain artificial flavor/flavoring, coloring, chemical preservatives or any other articial or synthetic ingredient, and the beef is not more than minimally processed Additional marketing claims that consumers might see on natural beef, but that arent tied to the denition of natural include: Raised Without Hormones, Raised Without Antibiotics, 100% Vegetarian Feed, etc.
GRADING BREAKDOWN
59% of the beef in the meat case is not identied by quality grade. Of the meat that is labeled according to quality grade in the meat case, 34% is Choice, 7% is Select, and less than 1% (0.1%) is Prime.
Source: 2007 National Meat Case Study Research
Branded Beef Branded beef programs follow that particular brands specications. These specications often include grade (see information below), marbling scores, feeding practices, etc. Some branded beef programs span several grades (i.e., a stores brand of beef might encompass the top level of Select through the bottom level of Choice)
Q. A re any of the different choices of beef safer for my family than the others? A. The great news is that all U.S. beef, regardless of type, is a safe and wholesome food that shares the unique combination of being good for you and tasting good. All beef sold in the U.S. is subject to stringent government regulations and inspection procedures to ensure safety.
AddITIOnaL RESOUrcES
NEW Grading Brochure a handy customer guide to selecting beef at the meat case www.beefretail.com/resoGradingBrochure.aspx Beef Basics for Retailers gives complete info on quality grading www.beefretail.org/uDocs/NCBABTC2S9_4.pdf Beef Basics for Consumers provides a customerfriendly overview of beef choices www.beefretail.org/uDocs/NCBABTC2S10_7.pdf From Pasture to Plate Beef Choices a fact sheet outlining different types of beef for consumers www.beeffrompasturetoplate.org/beefchoices.aspx Beef Its Whats For Dinner Shopping for Beef section includes information on beef choices and grades, plus lots of easy, delicious recipes www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/ shoppingforbeef.aspx
www.BeefRetail.org Copyright 2009 Cattlemens Beef Board and National Cattlemens Beef Association Funded by The Beef Checkoff
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