Making sense of Food Labels


There are lots of labels on foods these days, what do they all mean? Do they mean what you think that they mean?

 

Antibiotic Free-this means that the animal was not given antibiotics during his lifetime. Other words that you may see that would indicate the same approach are “no antibiotics administered” and “raised without antibiotics”.

 

Cage-Free-This simply means that the birds were raised without cages. Does this mean that they were raised in a pasture or raised indoors in a crowded space? We don’t know. Other words that you might look for would include “pastured” or “pasture-raised”.

 

Fair Trade-This simply means that farmers and workers in developing countries have received a fair wage and have worked in an acceptable environment while growing or packaging the food.

 

Free Range or Free Roaming-means that animals have been allowed to have access to the outdoors. This doesn’t mean that they are antibiotic free or even that the birds have spent the majority of their time outdoors. This doesn’t mean that they are cruelty free either. These claims are outlined by the USDA, not third party inspectors.

 

GMO-FREE or NON-GMO-GMO’s are genetically modified organisms. This means that plants or animals have been genetically engineered in a way that does not occur naturally with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants or animals. If the product is labeled GMO free then they have not been genetically modified.

 

Grain Fed-animals that are raised on a grain diet will have the label “grain-fed”. Unless the label reads “100% vegetarian diet” they can still be fed animal by-products.

 

Grass-Fed-Animals are fed grass, their natural diet. Look for the label “Grass fed” and “grass finished”. Some animals are raised on a primarily grass fed diet, however, at the end the farmer might give them grain from a feedlot prior to slaughter. Typically, grass fed animals are not fed grain, animal by products, synthetic hormones, or antibiotics to promote growth or prevent disease. This doesn’t mean that in the event that the animal was sick it didn’t receive some antibiotics for its illness.

 

Hormone Free-These are animals raised without the use of hormones to help them grow at a faster rate. By law, hogs and poultry are not supposed to be getting any hormones. Other labels that you might see are “no added hormones” or “no hormones administered”.

 

Natural- There are no standards set aside for this label. USDA natural meats say that they are minimally processed and do not contain artificial colors, preservatives, artificial flavors or other artificial ingredients. This does not  mean that organic, humanely raised or free of antibiotics or hormones. This is tricky isn’t it?

 

Non Irradiated-Irradiation is the process of exposing food to radiation. Is food that has been irritated safe for humans? No testing has been done to my knowledge. Meat and vegetables are irradiated to kill disease causing bacteria and reduce the affects of food-borne illnesses.

 

RBGH-FREE OR RBST-FREE –Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) is genetically engineered growth hormone that is injected into dairy cows to increase their milk production. This product is deemed “safe” in the US but is not permitted in Canada, European countries and a few others. Milk labeled “rBGH free” is produced by cows that have never received the hormone. Another common label is “Organic”. This label is rBGH free.  This applies to both cheese and milk.

 

Organic-What does this label include?

  • use no prohibited materials for 3  years prior and currently-no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, sewage sludge, pesticides
  • NO GMO or Irradiation
  • Rotate crops, positive soil building and conservation
  • Provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock
  • Refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in animals
  • 100% organic feed
  • Keep records of all operations

Standard-95 to 100% of ingredients are organic. Products with 70-95% organic ingredients can still advertise “organic ingredients”. Organic foods may not use hydrogenated or trans fats.

 

Food labels can be tricky, hopefully this will help you identify and clear up any confusion so that you know more about what you are purchasing.

 

In Health,

 

Healthy Living Chick

 

 

chicken-1975322_1280