Deciphering Meat Labels

Should you buy Grassfed? Natural? Certified Humane? Here’s what all those terms—and more—really mean

- MELISSA DIANE SMITH

Q Eating meat is an important part of my therapeutic diet to keep my blood sugar and energy levels steady. But I want to seek out clean meat from animals that are raised humanely and aren’t fed GMOs or pesticide-laden feed. What should I look for on the label?

You aren’t alone. More and more people are trying to avoid conventional meat produced from animals that are fattened up on genetically modified feed in crowded, confined conditions. Instead, they are seeking out meat from animals raised on pasture. Grass is what animals, including cattle, bison, goats, and sheep, ate more than 100 years ago: It’s healthiest for the animals, for the environment, and for the people who eat the meat.

But it’s not always easy to identify healthier meat options. Label claims and seals can be deceptive, and it’s difficult for shoppers to know which claims have a meaningful definition behind them and adhere to standards that meet their expectations.

“Natural” Means Next to Nothing

Take, for example, “Natural.” Many people seek meat that has this term on the package because they assume it’s free of pesticides, genetically modified ingredients, and/or antibiotics. But that isn’t necessarily the case. According to USDA regulations, the term “natural” may be used on labeling for meat products if the product is minimally processed and doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, coloring ingredients, or chemical preservatives. “Natural” gives no information about what type of feed the animals ate or the living conditions in which they were raised.