Selecting the Safest Meat

October 1, 2007 Update: As 27 people in eight states have fallen ill from E. coli exposure after eating Topp Meat's hamburger, the company has issued a recall of 21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef products. Topp advises consumers who've purchased Topp's hamburger burgers to discard them or return them to the store for a full refund. But better choices abound: The Green Guide's "Pick of the Herd" (see sidebar) lists specific, healthier alternatives and where to buy them. And for help on sorting your way through the thicket of labels, read on.

Most Reliable Labels

1. USDA organic—Animals are fed organic, vegetarian feed, are not administered any antibiotics and no irradiation or genetic modification takes place. They are raised under conditions which provide for exercise, access to outdoors and freedom of movement. The USDA allows products that contain all organic ingredients to be labeled as "100% organic;" products that contain 95% up to 100% organic ingredients can be labeled as "organic." Claims are verified by third-party inspectors (www.usda.gov). See our Product Reports for state-by-state lists of organic meat and poultry.

2. Pastured or grass fed—Cattle are fed on a confined or unconfined system with a grass floor. Claims are not necessarily verified by third party inspectors, though some grass producers do provide independent documentation that their animals are vegetarian (look for the USDA Verified Shield). Grass results in healthier animals with less need for antibiotics. Uncrowded and hygienic rearing conditions also result in lower E. coli infection rates.To find grass-fed beef, see American Grass Fed Beef and Eat Wild.

3. Certified humane raised and handled—Cattle have sufficient space and shelter and must have access to fresh water at all times. They must not be fed hormones or antibiotics and must be treated and handled according to Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) standards. Claims are verified by third-party inspectors (www.certifiedhumane.com).

4. Animal Welfare Approved—Cattle and pigs must be raised on independent, family farmers and allowed to graze outdoors in suitable conditions for the breed. Implanted growth hormones and the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics are prohibited as is feeding meat, meat byproducts or genetically modified grains. Claims are verified by third-party inspectors (www.awionline.org).

5. Food Alliance—emphasizes worker welfare, habitat protection, well-managed agriculture, humane care of livestock (www.foodalliance.org)

Least Reliable Labels

4. Free range or free roaming—"free range" is only defined by the USDA for poultry production. Claims are defined by USDA, but are not verified by third party inspectors.

5. No antibiotics administered, raised without antibiotics or antibiotic-free—The USDA allows producers to label meat and poultry products with the claims "no antibiotics administered" or "raised without antibiotics." The term "antibiotic-free" is not approved for use by the USDA. Claims are defined by USDA, but are not verified by third party inspectors.

6. No hormones administered, raised without hormones, or hormone-free—Cattle must not receive any hormones during their lifetime. The term "hormone-free" is not approved for use by the FDA. Claims are defined by USDA, but are not verified by third party inspectors.

7. Natural—Meat must be minimally processed without any artificial flavors, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. However, the USDA does not exclude meats raised using antibiotics as growth promoters. Claims are defined by USDA, but are not verified by third party inspectors.

8. Raised on small family farms—A non-factory farm alternative, producers are small scale and do not use industrial business models. Claims are not verified by third party inspectors.